Domadugu villagers protest, demand shutdown of Hetero Drugs over pollution
SANGAREDDY: Fueled by outrage and despair, hundreds of Domadugu villagers surged through the streetson Sunday, demanding Hetero Drugs’ Unit-1 be shut down. For over a decade, they say, the factory has tainted their air, water, and very existence. Organized by the Anti-Pollution Struggle Committee, the protest ended with a bold ultimatum that is “meet our demands or face a boycott of the municipal elections”.
With placards held high and voices echoing through the streets, protestors denounced the Pollution Control Board’s recent actions as nothing more than a façade, accusing officials of turning a blind eye. The villagers declared they were done with empty promises and demanded real action: the closure of Hetero Unit-1.
Significantly, leaders at the rally by Domadugu villagers presented a scathing indictment of the authorities and painted a grim picture of life in the village. Telangana People’s Joint Action Commitee(TPJAC) District President Y. Ashok Kumar lambasted the PCB, stating that issuing the same orders in 2026 as in 2013 is proof of its incompetence. He added that while a 2013 order mandated the removal of polluted water and soil from the Nallakunta pond, the current orders are silent on this cleanup. “Who will remove the polluted pond water and soil? Who will compensate for the damage caused to people’s health by the toxic gases released for 12 years?” he questioned.
PCB: A hotbed of failures
Furthermore, speakers from Domadugu villagers voiced deep anguish over a mounting health crisis, blaming industrial pollution for miscarriages, surging cancer rates, and children succumbing to illness. They pointed to ruined crops and dying livestock as stark proof of the unfolding environmental catastrophe.
“Obtaining clean air and pure water is our fundamental right as part of our right to life. The Hetero Drugs Unit-1, which is trampling on our rights, must be shut down immediately,” became the rallying cry of the protesters.
In a significant escalation, the committee issued a direct political warning. They said they would boycott the upcoming municipal elections if the pollution issue isn’t fixed. “Public representatives who do not solve our problem should not come to our village for votes,” the villagers asserted, signalling a withdrawal of their political mandate.
Meanwhile, the protest drew direct support from TP JAC and Climate Front representatives, expanding the movement’s reach. Among the key leaders rallying the crowd were TP JAC’s Y. Ashok Kumar, State Co-Convenor Kanneganti Ravi, Climate Front’s Ruchit and Abhilash, and local convenors.
