FIR filed against ‘Save KBR’ protesters amid row over tree felling near park
HYDERABAD: Police registered an FIR against protesters opposing ongoing tree felling near Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park for a proposed flyover project, even as activists accused officers of unlawful detention and intimidation.
In the early hours of Wednesday, personnel from the Banjara Hills Police Station detained five protesters linked to the “Save KBR” campaign. Police alleged that the protesters obstructed work at the site and threatened contractors.
Activists denied the allegations and claimed the police detained them arbitrarily.
“Around 3 am, police detained them and took them to the station. Officers also seized their phones. When other volunteers arrived, police made them wait for hours until the station in charge arrived after 10 am,” said Ali Abbas, a member of the Save KBR group.
Abbas also alleged that police personnel seized more phones when volunteers questioned officers about the detentions at the station.
Police said they booked around 10 to 15 volunteers. The charges include Section 126(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for wrongful restraint, Section 324(4) for causing loss or damage to property, Section 351(1) for criminal intimidation, and Section 3(5), which deals with common intention.
Concerns grow over ecological impact of flyover project
Protests have intensified in recent weeks as activists raised concerns over tree felling and the ecological impact of the proposed infrastructure project near the park
