Hyderabad, August 1: The Telangana High Court has directed the State government to withdraw the land acquisition notification issued for Rejinthal village in Nyalkal mandal of Sangareddy district, providing relief to farmers opposing the proposed acquisition for the National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) project.
The dispute relates to the proposed acquisition of agricultural land in Rejinthal village for the NIMZ project. Farmers have opposed the move for nearly a decade, arguing that the acquisition of fertile farmland would adversely affect their livelihoods and violate the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
According to the petitioners, repeated representations were submitted to the District Collector, Revenue Divisional Officer and other authorities seeking cancellation of the acquisition process. The matter eventually reached the High Court, which had earlier granted interim relief.
Despite the earlier court order, authorities reportedly issued a fresh notification in January this year to acquire the remaining 566.12 acres, excluding lands belonging to farmers who had already approached the court.
The farmers again moved the High Court, alleging that the fresh notification violated the court’s earlier directions and the provisions of the land acquisition law.
After hearing the matter, the High Court directed the State government and the concerned authorities to withdraw the land acquisition notification relating to Rejinthal village. Officials associated with the NIMZ project stated that the notification would be withdrawn in compliance with the court’s order.
Welcoming the verdict, affected farmers expressed confidence in the judiciary and said they would continue to protect their land rights through constitutional and legal means. They also appealed to the government not to acquire fertile agricultural land for industrial projects without following due process.
