Tense Situation in Khammam as Police Remove Huts in Bhoodan Lands
The irate residents tried to stop the police from clearing their huts using earthmovers but in vain
Nalgonda: High tension prevailed at Vinoba Navodaya Colony in Velugumatla, on the outskirts of Khammam city, when revenue officials began demolishing constructions and huts on 31 acres of Bhoodan land early Tuesday.
Over 2,000 policemen from Khammam, Warangal and Suryapet districts were deployed during the removal of alleged illegal structures in Survey No.s 147, 148 and 149. Officials of the revenue and Khammam municipal corporation arrived with proclainers and tractors. Residents attempted to resist, with women trying to throw chilli powder at officials, but police foiled the plan.
Officials removed around 600 huts and houses, asking residents to shift to three rehabilitation centres in Khammam city. Locked houses were broken open, with furniture and belongings shifted to a private function hall under video recording.
The colony was established in 2013 under the initiative of Grameena Pedala Sangham, affiliated to the Unity Centre of Communist Revolutionaries of India (Marxist–Leninist). Over 600 poor families had erected huts and some pucca houses. Residents displayed Bhoodan Board proceedings from 2014 allotting 100 square yards each, and alleged officials ignored a 2019 High Court directive to provide basic facilities. They claimed realtors were eyeing the land after the Khammam district integrated offices complex came up nearby.
Opposition leaders were arrested to prevent escalation, while YouTube reporters travelling from Hyderabad were detained at the Panthangi toll plaza on the way.
Additional district collector P. Srinivas Reddy clarified that the demolition followed Bhoodan Board directions. He said one Kalavala Raja Rama Rao donated 31 acres and seven guntas in 1953, and notices were issued in 2019 against encroachment.
The High Court had ordered status quo, barring new constructions, but later observed pattas furnished by residents were not proper. On January 17, 2026, the Board informed the court that no land was allocated to petitioners, except five acres each for KGBV and model schools. Notices were issued to 308 encroachers.
Reddy said rehabilitation centres were set up at Kammavari Sangham, with furniture and items from locked houses kept safe at Ambedkar Bhavan.
Deputy commissioner of police Prasad Rao added that cases were filed against individuals who collected money from residents in the name of land allocation.
Fake land papers in Khammam under scanner
Khammam police have launched an investigation into those who allegedly encouraged hundreds of families to erect huts on Bhoodan land at Velugumatla by furnishing allotment letters that did not match official records. Police are focusing on leaders of a Communist outfit who supported families in occupying the land in Survey No.s 147, 148 and 149 on the outskirts of Khammam city.
As per rules, the Bhoodan Board issues a proceeding certificate to beneficiaries, which is then communicated to the local Tahsildar for patta under Rule 11(1) of the AP Bhoodan and Gramdan Rules, 1965. Only after the patta is signed does the beneficiary gain rights over the land.
In the case of Vinoba Navodaya Colony, families reportedly presented Bhoodan Board proceedings claiming allotment, but police suspect these were fabricated. Investigators are probing whether individuals within the Board may have assisted leaders in obtaining such documents.
Police have also identified leaders who allegedly collected money from residents for providing allotment letters. Inputs suggest the colony became a shelter for members of revolutionary outfits from Khammam, Suryapet, Kothagudem and Mahbubnagar.
