Group of Telangana Ministers said that police would be withdrawn from University of Hyderabad campus, but not from the 400-acre land in Kancha Gachibowli. The image is used for representative purposes only.
| Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
The Telangana Government has announced its intentions to withdraw the police from the University of Hyderabad (UoH) campus,but not from the 400 acres land in Kancha Gachibowli, subject to assurance from the university administration about the security of the students and property of campus.
The government will address a letter to the UoH about this , the committee of Ministers, formed recently, told the representatives of the University. The committee said police presence to protect the 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli was essential in accordance with the recent Supreme Court order.
The committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and comprising Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and D. Sridhar Babu gave an assurance to this effect to the University of Hyderabad Teachers Association and civil society groups when the latter called on them on Monday (April 7, 2025). All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Telangana Meenakshi Natarajan and CWC special invitee Vamshi Chand Reddy were also present.
Cases on students have to be withdrawn
The committee was responding to the issues raised by the teachers association during the meeting. The representatives wanted police force to be withdrawn from the campus immediately and prohibitory orders taken back. The recent cases filed against students involved in the agitation should be withdrawn and two students who were still in police custody should be released immediately.
Expert faculty and researchers, as primary stakeholders, should be permitted to conduct a damage assessment and biodiversity in the 400 acres land before the visit of the central empowered committee to the campus, they said.
Responding to the demands, the committee assured its sympathetic view towards all the cases filed against the students. Necessary action would be taken in consultation with the police/law department to provide best relief possible. In view of the Supreme Court’s order to prevent any activities and maintain status quo in the area, the government would not be able to permit survey by anybody including faculty, students until further orders from the court, as per a press release.
Panel invites students for a meeting
The committee responded favourably to a request made by students to visit the campus, but the visit could not be planned immediately in view of the ongoing Supreme Court order and possible controversy. The panel however invited the students for a meeting to hear their concerns and suggestions.
Further consultations only after demands are met
They assured that the government would take due cognizance of the other demands and suggestions made by the civil society groups and assured of action in that direction. The teachers associations and others said that students did not participate in the meeting because their demands had not been met by the government. They affirmed that the UHTA or civil society groups would participate in consultations with the Ministers’ committee only after their demands were met.
Published – April 07, 2025 05:56 pm is
