Hyderabad: FIR against 4 for destruction at Khajaguda rock site

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has suspended a Village Revenue Assistant (VRA) after it was found that four persons had encroached and destroyed rocks at the historic Khajaguda rock site. Municipal Administration and Urban Development special secretary Arvind Kumar said that six security guards now be placed at the site 24/7 to protect it.
The development comes after activists and concerned citizens had protested and placed set up display boards in English and Telugu at the heritage site last Sunday citing the Telangana High Court’s order from 2019, which protects the monument. In a tweet, Arvind Kumar also said that after examining the situation an FIR was filed against four persons 4 persons for encroaching and destroying the site.
After last week’s protest, activists said that they will also soon be filing a contempt of court against the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Last Sunday’s protest also reached state IT and MA&UD minister K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) who asked Kumar to look into the issue .
#savekhajaguda issue examined & action initiated 1.FIR 222/2022 against 4 persons for encroaching & destroying in S No 452/1 & 454/1 of P’guda(v); 2. VRA is suspended for dereliction; 3. (6) security guards placed by @HMDA_Gov 24/7 We will protect @KTRTRS @DonitaJose @serish https://t.co/hdWuOPr5LS pic.twitter.com/fOyL5n2TZf — Arvind Kumar (@arvindkumar_ias) March 3, 2022 The boards put up by the activists read: “Survey Numbers 450/1, 450/2, 448, 452, are protected sites as per Telangana High Court stay order PIL No.51/2019. Any disturbance to any rock, hill by cutting rocks or dumping will be held as contempt of the court. The Person carrying out the activity and the instigators are punishable by law. Khajaguda is a place for nature, peaceful brotherhood of three faiths, adventure sports, tranquillity, and photography only.” The Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple trust (which is near the Khajaguda rocks) started the construction of a borewell in the wee hours of the night last week on February 24 , resulting in more destruction at the Khajaguda heritage rock site. While the Narsingi police stopped the illegal drilling, it brings to light the fact that the heritage site’s security has been compromised.
The HMDA, which is the authority in-charge of protecting it, was caught unaware of it.