Tellapur Encroachment row turns violent, TENA president assaulted
HYDERABAD: Tensions over illegal encroachment on a planned road in Tellapur erupted into violence on Republic Day, as the Tellapur Neighborhood Association (TENA) President was brutally assaulted while police looked on. The residents, as a rally, went to the Kollur police station and lodged a formal complaint on Saturday.
Ramana Eshwaragari, TENA President, lodged a formal complaint at Kollur Police Station, recounting the January 26 incident near Mayfair Avenue, opposite Myhome Sayuk apartments. He accused the police of failing to protect a citizen during a discussion they themselves had organized.
According to the complaint, the dispute centers on a piece of land where a group has allegedly constructed barricades, occupying an area earmarked for future road expansion. Residents argue that the construction blocks a currently used access road, vital for 2,000-3,000 daily commuters, and will block a planned 60-80 foot road as per the HMDA Master Plan. They also cite concerns over law and order due to crowd behavior, including stone-throwing and harassment.
“We have repeatedly informed the Kollur Police and the Tellapur Municipality about this illegal activity. The municipality even demolished the construction in November, but it started again,” Ramana Eshwaragari told HyderabadMail.
The situation escalated on 26 January when residents, seeing renewed construction, called the Station House Officer (SHO) and other officers to intervene. The SHO arrived and began talks with the alleged encroachers. Eshwaragari, present as TENA President, for discussions.
“Suddenly, one of the encroachers started shouting at me, manhandled me, and tore my T-shirt in front of the SHO and other officers,” the complaint reads. It alleges that the individual then provoked his group, leading Eshwaragari to flee for safety.
What happened next, according to the complaint, was a planned attack. About ten people came in two SUVs, got out, and beat up Eshwaragari while shouting insults. The attack continued as his driver and friends tried to help, with the group hitting them from different sides. Eshwaragari finally got away to his car and was later taken to a hospital for his injuries.
The most serious claim in the complaint is that the police officers who were there did nothing during the first attack and the later group assault. “They attacked me, causing injuries and mental distress… in front of SHO and other officers,” the complaint emphasizes.
Residents are frustrated, saying that the land takeover, which they think is for a religious building, is causing ongoing problems for the community and for safety. “Because of the crowd gathering there, the behavior is a concerns, like hitting, teasing, commenting, and throwing stones at cars,” Eshwaragari said.
