Farmers have every right to protest against Pharma City: Telangana HC

HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court strongly disapproved the highhandedness of the Rachakonda police commissionerate in issuing orders prohibiting oustees of Pharma City from taking out padayatras and distributing pamphlets.

The court faulted the issuance of the orders by the Ibrahimpatnam ACP, which stated that permission was not accorded to the ‘farmers of Pharma City Vyatireka Porata Samiti’ to conduct survey, rallies and awareness programmes by distributing pamphlets at Nanaknagar of Yacharam mandal.

Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the High Court observed that the impugned order was in violation of Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The judge said that the farmers, whose land was being acquired, could not be deprived of their right to protest and organise events opposing the establishment of pharma city or any other project, as they are victims of the land acquisition process.

The court issued interim suspension orders of the police diktats and directed the police to permit the petitioner farmers to go ahead with their programs. However, the judge made it clear that in case any law and order issues arise, the police were at liberty to impose reasonable restrictions.

During the arguments, Ch. Ravi Kumar, counsel for the petitioner farmers, requested the court to direct the police authorities not to create any hindrances to the lawful awareness activities of farmers in the affected villages of Medipally, Nanaknagar, Kurmidda and Thatiparthy of Yacharam mandal, Rangareddy district as regards Hyderabad Green Pharma City or Future city.