Tensions were simmering in a village in Telangana’s Vikarabad district as residents’ anger against the proposed Pharma Village project turned violent. Residents of Lagacharla village in Dudyal Mandal pelted stones and chased away district officials on November 11. According to reports, at least one official sustained injuries.

District Collector Prateek Jain and Kodangal Area Development Authority (KADA) officer Venkat Reddy, who tried to meet local representatives for a public hearing, were attacked with sticks, stones and even punches, reports TOI. Vekat was injured in the attack, the report added.

The public hearing on the project had previously been postponed in October after the area. Residents of villages like Hakimpeta, Polepalli, RB Thanda, Pulicherla and Eerlapallithanda protested against the proposed Pharma Village – a cluster of pharmaceutical companies – in Lagacharla. Residents fear environmental damage to farmland if such companies were to set up in the area.

The Hindu reports that Section 163 (prohibition of unlawful assembly, formerly Section 144 CrPC) is likely to be imposed in the area. Videos of the attack, which showed unidentified people surrounding a stationary car and throwing large rocks at it, went viral on social media. Reports also say that slogans were raised against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy along with calls to ‘Go Back Pharma’.