Hyderabad: The farmers and residents of Rachakonda are upset over the TPCC president Revanth Reddy’s comments that if Congress comes to power, 50,000 acres of land in Rachakonda area will acquired through land pooling. People are issuing severe warnings to the Congress party and said they will not tolerate if their lands are taken away. Rachakonda residents, who protested against the establishment of a firing range 15 years ago, are saying that they will once again take up serious agitations.
Rachakonda region, which is spread on the border of Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri and Ranga Reddy districts, very close to Hyderabad, has a rich historical background. People of have been living on this land for years. The people of Rachakonda, Tippaiguda, Allapuram, Kadilabavi thanda, Rachakonda thanda, Mucharlakunta thanda, Patelchervu thanda and other villages in Ibrahimpatnam constituency depend on the lands for livelihood. Most of the farmers are tribals.
In 2008, the Congress government at the Centre proposed to acquire thousands of acres and set up a field firing range. Official announcements have also been made that a field firing range will be set up in Guttala area of Rachakonda neighbourhood in Manchala mandal of Ibrahimpatnam constituency in Ranga Reddy district along with Narayanapuram area of erstwhile Nalgonda district.
Revanth Reddy’s statement wherein he said that the 50, 000 acres of land in Rachakonda will ve given to foreign companies is met with serious opposition. The farmers are feeling that the true colours of Revanth Reddy came to light before the election. Rachakonda is spread over about 32,000 acres in various parts of Rangareddy district along with Nalgonda. The total area in Nalgonda is 14,765 acres, most of which is under Rachakonda revenue village. These include 2,217 acres of patta lands, 2,956 acres of government land and 8,945 acres of forest land. The rest is spread in Ranga Reddy district.
Revanth Reddy, who is now eyeing the lands, terrorised the people of Rachakonda by his statement. The farmers are now living a descent life as the BRS government ensured supply of irrigation water and provided Rythu Bandhu and they are waiting for the completion of Sivannagudem reservoir works.
The residents are questioning that if the total area of Rachakonda is 32,000 acres, how will Revanth Reddy acquire 50,000 acres. It is said that Revanth Reddy’s followers and binamis have bought large scale lands in Rachakonda and that Revanth Reddy owns 50 acres of land near Dandumailaram, where an acre is worth around Rs. 1 to Rs 1.5 crore.