Collector attacked by woman farmer in Vikarabad

Tensions erupted in Vikarabad's Laggicharla village during a public opinion poll regarding the proposed Pharma Village, as a woman farmer attacked district collector Prateek Jain. The altercation occurred when the woman approached the collector from behind and tapped him on the shoulder, leading to a commotion.

As protests intensified, angry farmers pelted stones at the vehicles of the collector and other officials, causing significant damage. Three cars were destroyed during the attack, adding to the already volatile situation. The Telangana government is planning to acquire approximately 3,000 acres in three villages—Laggicharla, Polepalli, and Heekampeta—in the Kodangal constituency for the establishment of a Pharma SEZ (Special Economic Zone).

While some farmers have voluntarily agreed to part with their land, the authorities decided to conduct a public opinion poll in Laggicharla to gauge local sentiment. Initially, officials planned to hold the poll at a temporary location two kilometers from the village, but this arrangement was met with strong opposition from the villagers, who felt the venue was too far.

As the tension mounted, district collector Prateek Jain, accompanied by revenue officials and police, arrived in the village to carry out the public opinion survey. However, the situation quickly escalated when the woman farmer struck the collector, prompting a tense confrontation between the villagers and the officials. During the chaos, the protesters destroyed three vehicles belonging to the officers.

The police intervened and successfully rescued the collector, moving him to a secure location. Farmers in the region have expressed concerns over the establishment of the Pharma SEZ, fearing that the project will not only result in the loss of their land but could also bring environmental hazards, including increased pollution. In an effort to alleviate these concerns, the authorities conducted the public opinion poll, but the unrest remains high, with ongoing protests and heightened tensions in the area.