Yesterday Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao reported after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the new Secretariat will be built on the Bison Polo Ground.
Immediately after the announcement protestors gathered at the ground and clashed with the police.
The protest was led by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC.) A large number of people protested at the Ground against building the new Secretariat complex.
The police rushed to the scene and restricted the protestors from entering the ground creating havoc.
The Congress leaders also went as far as bringing an effigy (model of a person) of KCR and hung it on one of the trees at Bison Polo Grounds.
TPCC Spokesperson Krishank said, “We had hung the effigy of the chief minister. This was a symbolic protest. The chief minister is playing havoc with the environment.The city needs more lung spaces. But the government is depriving people of the existing ones. The greenery will be lost forever. Bison Polo grounds is part of Hyderabad’s heritage and it should be protected for the posterity.Moreover, KCR is giving preference to ‘Vasthu’ instead of good governance. Construction of a new Secretariat will only benefit contractors.”
The police detained a number of protesters that were taken to the Begumpet police station.
KCR has been eyeing Gymkhana Ground and Bison Polo Ground for months now in an attempt to build a new Secretariat, Legislature and a cultural center.
The C.M. was questioned about the apprehension of citizens losing a sports ground to which he said, “There are nearly 500 acres dedicated for sports grounds and facilities and most of them are not being used for sports. In fact, Gachibowli indoor stadium is being used for hosting weddings.”
Activists are still not satisfied with KCR’s claims and say it is unnecessary to build a new Secretariat in the city.
