Hyderabad, March 4: Social activist Medha Patkar was advised by the police to leave the residence of a city-based activist in Hyderabad due to law and order concerns, as authorities were not given prior notice of her visit. Patkar, who is in the city for the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) 30th-anniversary convention, had visited a locality near the Musi River in Chaderghat.
Impromptu Visit Raises Security Concerns
According to Kiran Kumar Vissa of NAPM, Patkar’s visit was not a planned protest but an informal meeting with volunteers and residents reportedly affected by the proposed Musi River rejuvenation project by the Telangana government."She went there to interact with people and left soon after," Vissa stated.
Police Clarify Position
While reports suggested that the police action was linked to Patkar’s visit to those allegedly impacted by the project, authorities denied any such motive. A senior police officer explained that as a national-level activist, Patkar’s visit should have been informed in advance for security reasons."There was no intimation to the police about her visit. If something had happened, we needed to be prepared. We did not object to her visit, but had we known earlier, we could have arranged for her protection," the officer said.
Patkar Asserts Right to Visit Public Spaces
When approached by the police at the activist’s house on Monday, Patkar stated that she was there simply to meet a friend. However, she was asked to leave, citing potential law and order issues.Vissa confirmed that when police requested her to go back, Patkar emphasized her right to visit public places and interact with people. She also clarified that she was not staging a protest or conducting a padayatra (foot march).
Political Reactions and Musi River Project
The Telangana Congress government has proposed a major rejuvenation project for the Musi River, which flows through Hyderabad. However, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have criticized the government, alleging that the initiative has led to the demolition of homes belonging to the poor.While police maintain that their intervention was solely based on security concerns, the incident has sparked speculation over the broader political and social implications of the Musi River project.
Last updated by a enewsx:
