Hyderabad: In a sweeping crackdown that laid bare a sprawling land network, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) moved in on Saturday with heavy police deployment and bulldozers to secure 861 acres of prime govt land in Ameenpur, Sangareddy, triggering dramatic scenes on the ground. Authorities estimated the land’s value at over Rs 15,000 crore. The high-stakes operation, carried out in coordination with revenue and municipal departments, led to the demolition of major structures, including a six-storey apartment building, a large farmhouse and a guest house. Demolition teams began work around 9 am, prompting panic among residents as families rushed to evacuate and salvage their belongings.Tenants of the six-storey building said nearly 45 families were living there and claimed they had received no prior notice. One resident said, “We were not told anything. Suddenly in the morning, they came and started demolishing.” He added that families were paying around Rs 12,000 rent and Rs 2,000 maintenance each month, and should have been given time to relocate.Residents alleged that parts of the structure were pulled down while some occupants were still inside, creating tense moments on the site. One resident said they had requested officials to allow a few hours to vacate, but demolition began almost immediately. Household items were quickly moved, with some residents shifting to nearby apartments and others moving in with relatives, using whatever transport was available in the rush.HYDRAA teams reportedly arrived at the premises around 6 am and instructed residents of more than 40 flats to vacate within a short period. All occupants were tenants, many of whom said they were unaware of any prior notice or its intended recipient. Officials, however, maintained that due process had been followed and that notices were served on the property owner well in advance, allowing sufficient time for evacuation.One tenant, who had been living there for nine months, said officials knocked on doors around 7 am and instructed residents to leave within an hour. He questioned how a family could vacate a fully furnished home in such a short time. He also alleged that demolition began while residents were still moving their belongings, leading to damage of valuables, including household appliances placed in balconies. He further said attempts to contact packers and movers were unsuccessful or extremely costly due to the urgency of the situation. With electricity disconnected, lifts became non-functional, forcing residents to carry furniture and belongings down staircases manually and dump them on the road, adding to the chaos and strain during evacuation.HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath stated that the total disputed extent in Ailapur village is about 1,263 acres, of which 861 acres of vacant govt land has now been secured through fencing. He added that the remaining portions include existing habitations, earlier layouts and land under litigation, and clarified that houses belonging to poor and tribal families were not affected.According to Ranganath, the action targets long-standing encroachments linked to alleged encroacher MA Mukheem and his associates. He said that despite a high court status quo order in place since 1998, Mukheem allegedly continued construction activity and land transactions. A farmhouse spanning nearly 40 acres, along with a guest house constructed in 2006, was reportedly built in violation of these orders.Authorities further alleged that large-scale sale of govt land was carried out from this base, including thousands of plots, some measuring around 100 square yards, which were allegedly sold to buyers including low-income tribal families for approximately Rs 10 lakh each.Ranganath said these transactions occurred despite the land remaining under dispute and subject to court orders, leading to gradual encroachment over the years. He added that this pattern was supported by satellite imagery and mapping data. Ranganath also stated that Mukheem faces multiple criminal cases and is believed to have operated an organised network for over two decades.While the operation caused distress among tenants, some plot owners involved in legal disputes welcomed the crackdown, saying it could help curb illegal sales and bring clarity to a long-standing issue.The HYDRAA commissioner reiterated that the focus remains on protecting govt land and preventing fresh encroachments. He added that the operation was based on revenue records, field verification and supporting evidence, and that no stay order is currently in force. Officials said fencing will help maintain the status quo until the courts determine final ownership.
