NHRC seeks report on alleged police harassment & false charges in Vikarabad incident

Hyderabad: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint from the residents of Lagacherla village in Vikarabad district, Telangana, alleging police harassment, physical abuse, and false criminal charges. The complaints come after the villagers protested the state’s land acquisition for a proposed Pharma Village project, claiming that the acquisition process did not follow proper procedures.

According to the complaint, most of the victims are from the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Communities (OBC). The victims, at least 12 in number, have called for the NHRC’s intervention, reporting threats of starvation and displacement.

On November 11, 2024, the District Collector, along with other officials, reportedly arrived in Lagacherla to announce the forcible acquisition of 1,374 acres of land for the Pharma project. That evening, it is alleged that hundreds of police personnel, along with local goons, raided the village, assaulting protesting villagers, including pregnant women. Internet services and electricity were reportedly cut off to prevent communication.

Following the incident, the police allegedly filed false FIRs against the villagers, including women, forcing some residents to flee their homes and seek refuge in nearby forests and farmlands, without access to food, medical aid, and basic amenities.

In response, the NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Telangana, requesting a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The report is expected to include information on the status of the FIRs, the condition of the villagers in hiding, and whether any medical care was provided to the injured.

The NHRC has also decided to send a joint team of its Law and Investigation officers for an on-the-spot inquiry, with a report to be submitted within one week.

The state government is attempting to acquire 1,374 acres of fertile agricultural land for the Pharma project, even though 16,000 acres had already been acquired for a Pharma City project. The land being acquired is reportedly owned by SC, ST, and OBC communities, who have been protesting against the acquisition for several months.