HYDERABAD: Tension prevailed at Pocharam village of Ghatkesar mandal on city outskirts on Tuesday when villagers detained three officials of Housing Board who went there to explore possibilities of acquiring land for a Government scheme.

A villager Laxman attempted suicide in protest against the reported move by the Government to take over land from the village for building houses under Rajeev Gruha Kalpa scheme.

Alert police officials foiled the suicide bid even as Housing Board Executive Director Shalini Mishra rushed to the spot and assured the villagers that no land would be acquired without their consent.

The villagers later set the detained officials -- Zaheeruddin, Anantaiah and Kripanand -- free. The trio had entered the village to examine if the 30 acres of land under Survey no. 35/2 was suitable to take up the Rajeev Gruha Kalpa project. On learning about their visit, a large number of locals assembled at the village panchayat office and detained the officials inside it.

735 acres

They refused to release them alleging that Government had already taken away 735 acres of land from the village. "We're not ready to give away any piece of land further and would not release the officials till the Government gives a written assurance," they told the policemen who tried to intervene.

As the impasse continued, Ms. Mishra arrived at the spot, held talks with the agitating villagers and secured the release of the officials saying they came to the village on her orders and had no personal interest.

She convinced them that the Government would not forcibly take away their land and consult them before taking a decision.

Even as the discussions were on, Laxman attempted suicide by dousing himself in kerosene and setting himself on fire.

Ghatkesar police station Inspector Ramulu and other policemen surrounded him and took him to a corner.

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