Police Actions in Kodangal Criticized After Farmer Arrests
The recent actions of the police in Kodangal have sparked widespread criticism. Over 57 people were arrested, with 16 of them placed under judicial custody. The arrests happened after a conflict between farmers from Lagacherla village and district officials. The officials had come to discuss the government’s plan to acquire land for an industrial corridor.
Witnesses say the police used excessive force during the arrests. They entered homes in Lagacherla, Pulicherla, and nearby tribal hamlets late at night. Families were terrified as young men were taken from their homes and loaded into police vans.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described the police as behaving like “armed rowdies.” He said they entered homes without warrants or explanations. He claimed he was wrongfully detained and even assaulted before being released. Advocate Ashok, who is helping some detainees with their bail, condemned the police’s actions. He argued that the arrests were unconstitutional and violated the villagers’ rights. There were even reports of elderly parents being detained when their sons could not be found.
The conflict stems from the government’s plan to acquire over 1,000 acres of land for a pharmaceutical industrial corridor. Local farmers, many of whom are tribal, oppose the land acquisition. They fear being displaced and worry about the damage the project could cause to the environment. Although the government has already given 300 acres to a pharmaceutical company, resistance to further land acquisition is growing.
Many villagers refused to attend a public hearing about the project, suspecting it was a mere formality. When district officials came to Lagacherla to speak with the villagers, tensions rose, leading to clashes. Locals said the officials ignored their concerns, which led to the conflict.
Some critics believe the incident was planned to justify the heavy police presence and force tribal communities to give up their land. A social analyst watching the situation said, “Using excessive force against tribal people to take their lands is undemocratic.”
While the government has offered compensation packages, including jobs, housing, and educational support, many farmers are still unwilling to give up their ancestral land. Some villagers have said they would accept industrial development if it aligned with their community’s needs, like a medical college or an educational institution. However, they are firmly against a project that could harm the environment and disrupt their way of life.
