The demolition of houses on Bhoodan land in Velugumatla, Khammam, has sparked widespread controversy across the state. Telangana Jagruti president Kalvakuntla Kavita visited the area on Monday and interacted with the affected families, assuring them that protests would continue until justice is delivered. The displaced residents were shifted to a rehabilitation center at the ZP Center in the city, where Kavita, along with her supporters, staged a protest near the Ambedkar statue.
Kavita continued the dharna for nearly four hours before police intervened and detained her, shifting her to a police station. She was later released around 8 p.m. However, in an unexpected move, instead of returning to Hyderabad as police anticipated, she went back to Khammam’s Ambedkar Bhavan and began an indefinite hunger strike along with BC, SC, ST JAC state chairman Visharadan Maharaj, demanding justice for the affected families.
During the protest, Kavita demanded that the district collector visit the rehabilitation center and address the issues faced by the displaced families. She also questioned how three ministers from the district had failed to ensure justice for the poor residents affected by the demolitions.
As the hunger strike continued late into the night, police again intervened and took Kavita into custody. She was later shifted to Hyderabad. Speaking during the arrest, Kavita asserted that her protest would continue despite the police action and vowed to keep fighting until justice is delivered to the Velugumatla victims.
Meanwhile, Khammam police registered a case against Kavita, Visharadan Maharaj, and 45 others in connection with the protest. According to City ACP Ramanamurthy, the case was filed following a complaint from a constable alleging that the protest caused major traffic disruptions. Police also stated that several participants had come from districts such as Nizamabad, Wanaparthy, Nalgonda, Kamareddy, Hanamkonda, Hyderabad, and Warangal, and allegedly attempted to provoke the displaced people and disturb law and order.