Construction of Medical College Disrupted over Land Dispute, HC issues stay order

According to a recent report by Deccan Chronicle, the construction of a new medical college in Mahbubabad was in full-swing until a dispute broke out over ownership of the land on which the college is supposed to be constructed.

The State Government had allotted the land for construction of a medical and nursing college. However, the local population claims that they are cultivating a part of the land.

The locals, who are quite upset by the construction work, have approached the high court and stated their grievances.

The High Court, in response, has issued a stay order on the construction work, and has also demanded a report from the State Government regarding the rightful ownership of the land.

Local councillor Banoth Ravi said that portions of the land were assigned decades ago to several tribals of Babunaik thanda and Sankriya thanda, and alleged that the state government was forcefully claiming the land of the poor tribals. He said that there is open plot of government land adjacent to the spot chosen for the college, and asked the officials to consider buildng it there.

"A false report has been sent to the government that the land in Survey No. 551 is completely owned by the government and no one is cultivating it. The revenue and police officials are not letting farmers enter their own land and have dug a trench to stop them," he alleged

However, amidst this chaos, the ruling party leaders claim these claims were backed by opposition parties and are meant to obstruct development works.

Minister for tribal welfare, Satyavathi Rathod told Deccan Chronicle, "It is unfortunate that some people are resorting to such acts to hinder development in Mahbubabad which is relatively backward. Necessary action is being taken in regard to the dispute and it will be clarified at the earliest."