The Telangana State government has agreed to withdraw the cases booked against the students of the University of Hyderabad (UoH) in connection with the protest over tree felling on 400 acres of land at Kancha Gachibowli near the university. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka directed the police to withdraw the cases registered against the students.

A three-member ministerial group, formed to resolve the land issue, held a meeting where the UoH Teachers’ Association and civil society groups presented several demands. These included removing police from the UoH campus, lifting prohibitory orders, dropping all cases against protesting students, and immediately releasing two students currently in judicial custody. They also asked for permission to allow faculty and researchers to conduct a damage assessment survey and collect biodiversity data on the land before the Central Empowered Committee’s visit.

Meanwhile, the ministerial committee clarified that police presence is necessary to protect the 400 acres of land as per Supreme Court orders.