Khammam, March,10,2026: Former MLC and Jagruthi president Kalvakuntla Kavitha was arrested by police during a protest over the Velugumatla land issue in Khammam district on Tuesday. The Kalvakuntla Kavitha arrest came after tensions escalated during her hunger strike in support of displaced land victims.
Kavitha visited Khammam on Monday to extend support to families affected by the Velugumatla land issue located on the outskirts of the city. She demanded that the government provide land ownership documents to the affected residents.
During her visit, Kavitha met the victims and later staged a sit-in protest near the Ambedkar statue at a rehabilitation centre on Monday night. She began a hunger strike, stating that she would continue the protest until justice was provided to the affected families.
Police officials said tensions increased at the protest site when a scuffle broke out between police personnel and the displaced residents. The situation turned tense as protesters attempted to continue the demonstration.
Following the escalation, police intervened and ended the hunger strike. Kavitha was taken into custody in the early hours of Tuesday. The Kalvakuntla Kavitha arrest occurred during the overnight protest when authorities moved to disperse the gathering.
Police also registered cases against Kavitha and 33 of her supporters in connection with the protest.
During the incident, a woman police constable reportedly fainted amid the pushing and scuffle between police and protesters.
Kavitha had earlier said that she would not withdraw her hunger strike until justice was delivered to the displaced families.
The land issue relates to people who had built huts and were living on Bhoodan land near Velugumatla on the outskirts of Khammam city. Police removed the residents and cleared the huts on February 24.
The incident triggered a political controversy, with opposition parties reacting strongly to the eviction of the residents.
During the midnight developments, police took Kavitha and other protesters into custody and shifted them to a police station. Khammam ACP said cases would also be registered against those who allegedly attacked women police personnel during the protest.
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