Hyderabad: The Telangana Wakf Board has agreed in principle not to challenge the land acquisition award to be passed pertaining to the land in Balapur known as Qutub Shahi Maqbara Roushan ud Dowla, which is required for the Defence Research and Development Authority (DRDL).
A meeting was held at the Wakf Board officials with the officials responsible for land acquisition.
The Ranga Reddy deputy collector and land acquisition authority informed the Wakf Board chairman, Mohd. Saleem, that the DRDL had shown interest to acquire land in Survey No. 51/3, in Balapur and had approached the district administration with a request to initiate land acquisition under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act.
On a query by the Wakf Board authorities, revenue officials claimed that the acquisition of the land is unavoidable.
Mr Saleem said that in Survey No. 51/3, six acres and 18 guntas of land in Balapur are a gazette-notified Wakf property where two tombs are situated. He said if the acquisition of the said land is unavoidable, then the board will accord its consent.
“We would like to request the defence authorities not to disturb the tombs and protect them even after acquisition and provide passage for the general public so that people can offer fateha for the souls,” Mr Saleem said.
He informed the revenue officials that in Maheshwaram, about 428 acres of land belongs of the Wakf Board and is attached to the Muslim Maternity Hospital. Another parcel of land to the extent of 400 acres in Kungara Kalan is also Wakf land and attached to the Dargah Shah Raju Khattal Hussaini.
Mr Saleem said, “We are taking all steps to protect these Wakf properties and the board has addressed letters to the district collector, Ranga Reddy, to protect these lands from encroachment and cancel the pattas and Occupation Rights Certificates, if any, issued in favour of individuals.” Deputy tahsildar, Mr B. Anand Singh, and surveyor, land acquisition wing, Mr Mohd Khursheed Ahmed, participated in the discussion.
