Hyderabad, June 20 -- The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) Commissioner AV Ranganath has downplayed the allegations against his department, saying it was the handiwork of some land grabbers who were hell-bent on spreading false propaganda against HYDRAA.

Making it clear that either the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) or the Congress, he said HYDRAA is apolitical. He said his agency has absolute freedom to discharge its duties as delegated to it by the state government.

He appealed to the people not to believe in the false propaganda of those who managed the system and encroached upon lakes, nalas, parks and government lands.

He made these statements at a round-table meeting organised by Ra...