Hyderabad: As part of the ongoing campaign against illegal encroachments by state-run agency HYDRA, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader and Chandrayangutta Assembly member Akbaruddin Owaisi criticised those demanding demolition of the institutions he built.

Akbaruddin Owaisi stressed that the skills and training he imparts to his students “inspires envy” among some who are determined to undermine his efforts to uplift the underprivileged. While it is unclear whether Owaisi is trespassing on land illegally, HYDRA reclaimed 12 acres of Bum-Rukn-Ud-Dowla lake in Rajendranagar in August.

The illegal structures demolished up to the edge of the lake belonged to AIMIM MP Mohammed Mubeen and MP Mirza Rahmat Baig. The illegal structures included two ground floor and five storey buildings, 40 perimeter walls and one ground floor and two storey building.

However, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Agency (HYDRA), headed by IPS officer AV Ranganath, has not yet commented on Akbaruddin Owaisi’s properties.

“Don’t try to stop my good work”: Akbaruddin Owaisi

The AIMIM MP condemned his opponents on Monday, saying: “If anyone has enmity with me, come and kill me with swords and guns. But do not try to stop my good work.”

Although he had survived several attacks in the past, Owaisi reiterated that he would not be deterred from his mission even if it meant risking his life.

A plea should not be confused with weakness, says MLA

“Strike me with swords, but do not destroy the good work,” he urged, making it clear that his request should not be confused with weakness.

Owaisi, who still bears scars from previous attacks, stressed that he has always confronted his enemies head-on and will continue to do so. “I have never turned my back on my enemies and I will not start doing so now,” he concluded defiantly.