Locals obstruct officials who arrived to level the land
On Wednesday, serious tension erupted in Erragadda when officials arrived with earthmovers (JCB) to level an empty plot of land located behind Brigade Citadel and Kalpataru Apartments for a burial ground (Qabristan).
Apartment residents obstructed the officials, questioning how they could enter the site when a “status quo” order from the court was in effect. As large numbers of people from both sides gathered at the scene, the police intervened. It is worth noting that locals had previously protested when this land, located behind Brigade Citadel and Kalpataru Apartments, was allocated for a burial ground just before the Jubilee Hills by-election. Back then, residents had blocked an attempt to demolish a gate on the road next to Brigade Apartments to create an access path to the vacant land.
Freshly, GHMC officials arrived with Poclains to level the vacant land. Initially, they partially demolished walls near Noor Function Hall under the Erragadda bridge to create a path. Upon learning of this, a large number of apartment residents reached the spot. They questioned how land under court litigation could be allocated for a burial ground and raised slogans, leading the officials to leave the site.
As the other group also gathered at the location, it led to further tension. Sanathnagar Inspector Srinivasulu and his staff arrived at the scene and pacified both parties. The Inspector stated that a police picket would be set up to ensure no further issues arise.
On this occasion, representatives of the Apartment Association and residents stated that it is not appropriate to establish a burial ground in the middle of gated communities. They mentioned that the government had stepped back from this decision during the Jubilee Hills by-election. They questioned why officials were provoking tensions by arriving with Poclains at night without knowing the facts.
