The Telangana IAS Association has vehemently condemned the recent incident in Lagacharla village, Vikarabad district of Telangana, where District Collector Prateek Jain (2017-batch IAS officer) and other officials were forced to retreat after being confronted by an angry mob. The incident occurred on Monday, November 11th, 2024, in the Dudyala Mandal, when the officials were chased by residents shouting slogans.
In response to the attack, the state’s IAS Association’s president, Mr. Shashank Goel (1990-batch IAS officer), and Secretary Mr. Jayesh Ranjan (1992-batch IAS officer), emphasized that such violent actions would not deter civil servants from performing their duties. They assured that the government would take stringent measures against those responsible for the incident.
The Incident:
Telangana’s Pharma City initiative is poised to establish the state as a key hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing, potentially generating thousands of jobs and boosting the local economy. However, the project has encountered significant opposition from local communities, particularly in areas like Vikarabad, where land acquisition processes have sparked controversy.
The tension culminated during the most recent Gram Sabha meeting, which was convened to discuss the land requirements necessary for the project’s progress. The meeting turned violent as protesters, upset over the land acquisition, clashed with officials. Among those present at the meeting were several IAS officers, including District Collector Prateek Jain.
The protesters, armed with stones and sticks, disrupted the proceedings, leading to a chaotic confrontation that escalated into violence. This disturbance, which delayed further discussions on the project, highlights the growing opposition to the Pharma City initiative in the region.
