Residents of huts at Singareni Colony in Champapet on Saturday alleged that one middle-aged man died of shock after officials from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation tried to demolish huts built on government land.
The residents alleged that Shiv Raj collapsed and died of a heart attack when the GHMC officials led by Saroornagar MRO S Bhargav descended on the piece of land and told the residents there to vacate the land. They further claim that Shiv Raj's death went unnoticed in the commotion which was witnessed after arguments between the hut-dwellers and the GHMC officials reached a crescendo.
The GHMC officials had earlier tried to demolish the huts, but this was opposed by the squatters.
They argued with the officials that if they are forced to vacate the land, they would have no alternate place to live except on the road.
However, the officials remained adamant, and said that they were only following orders to reclaim the land.
The situation soon turned tense, and officials then turned to the police for help, who herded the occupiers.
Meanwhile, political leaders from various parties arrived on the scene and convinced the GHMC staff to leave the place without demolishing the huts.