Hyderabad Protest Against Anti-Encroachment Drive
In Hyderabad, Khairatabad MLA and senior Congress leader Danam Nagender strongly opposed an anti-encroachment drive conducted by the police and GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) officials as part of Operation ROPE on Wednesday. He demanded that the demolitions be stopped immediately and insisted that no action should be taken until Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy returns to the city.
When Nagender learned about the demolitions, he visited the site and confronted the authorities. He criticized them for not informing him beforehand, stating that as the local MLA, he should have been consulted. Nagender expressed concern for the poor residents affected by the drive, arguing that demolishing their homes was unjust.
The MLA grew frustrated and questioned the GHMC Zonal Commissioner and town planning officials about the lack of prior notice. He even contacted higher officials, urging them to halt the demolitions. In a heated exchange, Nagender threatened to sit in front of a bulldozer if his demands were not met. On the phone, he asked, “Don’t you have the responsibility to inform the local MLA? Give me two days—will the world end in these two days?”
Nagender further suggested that authorities target larger illegal structures elsewhere instead of demolishing smaller ones. He emphasized that no action should be taken against the structures until the Chief Minister returns from his Davos trip.
In a separate incident, AIMIM Nampally MLA Mohammed Majid Hussain also protested against roadside encroachment removals in Chintal Basti, Khairatabad. After hearing about the drive, Hussain arrived at the site and staged a protest by sitting on the road, blocking traffic. AIMIM party workers and local residents joined him, raising slogans against the traffic police and GHMC officials.
The Saifabad and Khairatabad police quickly arrived at the scene to manage the situation. Additional police forces were deployed to ensure law and order were maintained. According to the Hyderabad traffic police and GHMC, the encroachments on Chintal Basti Road were causing traffic congestion between Khairatabad and Banjara Hills Road No. 2, prompting their removal.
