Labour Minister Gaddam Vivek leaves a public programme in Mancherial after protests over land acquisition, drinking water shortages and allegations of neglect.

A public programme in Mancherial turned tense on January 19 after Telangana Labour Minister Gaddam Vivek faced protests from multiple groups, forcing him to cut short his visit.

The unrest began in Chennur, where families displaced for the construction of an Advanced Training Centre (ATC) confronted the minister during the foundation-laying ceremony. The affected residents alleged that their land was taken up for the project without prior notice or consultation, and sought clarity on how the acquisition was carried out.

Responding to the objections, District Collector Kumar Deepak said the land in question belonged to the government and questioned how it had been registered in private names. He maintained that transferring government land was illegal and advised the families to approach those who had sold them the property, calling the registrations a violation of norms.

Tensions escalated further when local women raised civic issues, accusing the minister of ignoring drinking water shortages, poor drainage and sanitation problems in several colonies. They said daily life had become difficult due to irregular water supply and overflowing drains, even as development works were being inaugurated.

Later, during a party-related programme in Kyathanpalli, aspirants and workers voiced anger over alleged irregularities in ticket distribution within the Indian National Congress. Protesters claimed that deserving leaders were sidelined and accused party functionaries of favouring those willing to pay bribes. Amid rising slogans and disorder, Vivek was compelled to leave the venue.

The episode reflects growing grassroots frustration in parts of Mancherial, where land disputes and civic deficits intersect with political discontent. For the government, such protests underline the need for clearer communication on land ownership and faster resolution of basic amenities. Politically, repeated public disruptions signal that unresolved local grievances can quickly overshadow development narratives if not addressed proactively.