Andhra Pradesh

Tribals up in arms against acquisition of land

ELURU: The Andhra Pradesh government’s move to take over the lands of tribals in the agency of West Godavari district to an extent of 10,000 ha and hand over the same to the Forest Department for development of reserve forest in Illendu area in Khammam district is being met with stiff resistance from Kondareddis of Buttayagudem and Polavaram mandals.

Backed by the CPI-ML (New Democracy), strong groups of Kondareddis stalled the attempts by the Revenue authorities to survey the lands for acquisition a few days ago in Gummuluru and Gogimilli villages in Buttayagudem mandal. Finally, the surveyors were forced to retreat from the fields.

According to information, an extent of 10,000 ha of unreserved forest land under the enjoyment of Kondareddis, still considered a primitive tribe, falling under Geddapalli, Munduluru and Puliramannagudem in Polavaram and Buttayagudem mandals, was being acquired for development of forest land.

The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) was reported to have found rich coal deposits in the thick reserve forests in Illendu area and the Forest Department insisted on the government compensating the loss of reserve forests due to mining by Singareni Collieries.

The district administration was learnt to have received instructions from the State government to make up the loss in the agency area of West Godavari district.

K. Sudhakar, secretary of the district unit of the CPI-ML (New Democracy), said the mining activity was depriving the tribals of their livelihood in both Khammam and West Godavari districts. Saying that his party was not against coal mining, he regretted that a large number of tribals were getting displaced and forced to lose their properties due to the Indirasagar project and the mining activity.

Mr. Sudhakar said the use of agency lands for mining would run counter to the Forest Rights Act which was aimed at safeguarding the interests of tribals.

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