Hyderabad: Real estate developer Vasavi Group on Friday allegedly demolished makeshift shops and stalls on Manjeera Road at Hafeezpet, as part of its beautification drive. This was questioned by the victims as the land belonged to the government. A woman reportedly sustained injuries during the drive.
A victim said that the police watched everything silently and left. When a reporter tried to contact Vasavi Group at their office near the project site, officials refused to comment. Most of the vendors had migrated from Warangal, Mahbubabad, Wardhannapet, and Tandur over a decade ago.
When asked, Miyapur police said the area was within the Gachibowli limits. The Gachibowli police confirmed it lay with the Miyapur police, who did not respond to questions regarding the incident.
Rangamma, 63, said she used to run a chicken shop on the road. “When rains wrecked the structure, I took a loan of `3.5 lakh to remodel the shop. But now the builders have ruined everything. I’m stuck — I can’t return to my hometown, nor will the financiers let me go without repayment.”
Santoshi, 37, was injured in the melee. Her father moved here from Tandur, along with about 30 families, and she herself was born here. “Whenever there’s construction, we’re asked to vacate and keep moving. Now, once again, we’re left searching for a roof over our heads.”
Victims claimed that they were not given prior notice.
Santoshi added, I went back inside to retrieve a few more items when an asbestos sheet fell on my head, injuring me.”
An employee at one of the stalls said he would now be out of work. “I met with an accident earlier and couldn’t continue my previous job. I started doing small jobs here, and now that’s gone too. The police watched everything like it was a show and left without asking if we were injured or wanted to file a complaint. Even if we wanted to, we don’t own the land. It felt like the police and the developers were working hand in hand.”
Shankar, working at a stall for two years, said, “We are not a disturbance to anyone. The roads used to be terrible, and we’ve even helped during accidents. Now, in the name of beautification, we’re being treated like we’re in the way. It’s heartbreaking.”
