Villagers caned in Medak acquisition

Hyderabad: Land acquisition for Mallannasagar project in Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s home district Medak turned violent on Saturday.

Villagers of Etigadda Kishtapur blocked revenue officials who visited the village for land survey, forcing them to halt the process. Police had resorted to lathi-charge to disburse the agitating villagers.

The villagers have been demanding compensation on par with market rate — Rs10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per acre — while the government is offering up to Rs 6 lakh.

The government has decided to acquire 16,000 acre in Toguta and Kondapaka to build the Rs 9,800-crore project to help Ranga Reddy, Medak, Nizamabad, Warangal and Nalgonda districts.