Hyderabad: Student protests are continuing at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) as students demand the protection of the green area in Kancha Gachibowli. On Monday, the situation became more tense when large earth-moving machines arrived to clear and level the land.
Initially, eight excavators were brought to the UoH East campus on Sunday. By Monday night, the number had grown to 50. These machines began removing trees and plants and flattening the land. In response, students and environmental activists gathered at the university gate to protest. They also asked for the release of two students still in police custody. These students face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including criminal trespass, carrying weapons, and interfering with official duties.
According to the students, about 52 of them were detained by Cyberabad police on Sunday for protesting at the East campus. They were later released, along with two journalists. However, two students—Naveen, a PhD student in Political Science, and Rohit Bondugula, a postdoctoral fellow—remain in custody and are expected to appear in Nampally Court.
Students say the protests began when the State government decided to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli. They believe the move will harm local plants and animals, damage the environment, and reduce the city’s green spaces.
Nihad Sulaiman, general secretary of the University’s Students Union, explained that the case is already in the Telangana High Court. The court has asked the government to respond by early April. Despite this, the government began clearing the land. He said that when students tried to stop the work, they were handled roughly by the police. “I was one of those detained,” he said. “Two of our fellow students are still in custody. We will keep protesting to protect the green cover.”
