Agency sitting on a powder keg

Boycotting of Lambada employees by Adivasis will have serious repercussions in the days to come if the state government fails to gird up its loins to put an end to the issue 

Adilabad: Trouble seems to be brewing in the tribal hinterland with the aboriginals not willing to step back from their demand – delisting of Lambadas from the Scheduled Tribe (ST). 

The first salvo - Maava Naate Maava Raaj (our village, our rule), which they threw in boycotting the Lambada employees in the administration in their region beginning with the TS Formation Day, June 2, appears to have serious repercussions in the days to come if the State government fails to gird up its loins to put an end to the issue. 

With the last-ditch effort of the Adivasi leaders, who met Chief Secretary S K Joshi on May 31, demanding exclusion of Lambadas from the ST category failing altogether, the aboriginals resolved to put up a brave fight against the administration.

It may be noted here that pressing their demand a host of tribal leaders led by Adivasi Hakkula Porata Samithi, also known as Tudum Debba, state president and former MLA Soyam Babu Rao met the CS. 

Stuck between a rock and a hard place, the government’s predicament is understandable over this sensitive issue especially against the backdrop of Adivasis-Lambada flare up that led to riots in Utnoor Agency in last December. 

As of now, the dictum issued by the Adivasis to the Lambada community teachers and other employees not to enter their habitations is reportedly prevailing at many places in the Agency. 

Speaking to The Hans India, Soyam Babu Rao said: “The Article 244 (1), Fifth Schedule para (13) and the PESA Act 1996 envisage right to declare self-rule. We have right to prevent entry of outsiders.” We are not even ready to receive provisions under Public Distribution System (PDS) if the dealers happen to be of the Lambada community. So was Rythu Bandhu cheques, he asserted. 

Revealing their action plan, he said that their community leaders are going to meet in Adilabad on Monday to discuss over the government’s nonchalant approach towards their demand. The meeting is also likely to decide a date on which they have plans to lay siege to the residences of Minister Jogu Ramanna, Adilabad MP Godam Nagesh and Boath MLA Rathod Bapu Rao. 

On the other hand, Telangana State Tribal Teachers Federation president and Lambada leader Eslavath Laxman Naik said: “Despite Chief Secretary S K Joshi’s words of wisdom, the Adivasi leaders appear to be stubborn. It invariably affects education system in the region.” Referring to the migrations from other states to claim reservations under ST, he said that they are ready to help the administration to stop it. 

Adilabad Superintendent of Police Vishnu S Warrier said that although the aboriginals are continuing their protests the situation in the Agency is peaceful. Meanwhile, it’s learnt that additional forces are being deployed in trouble-torn Utnoor and Narnoor areas as a precautionary measure. 

It’s also learnt that the SP who spoke to Adivasi leaders ensured removal of banners depicting Maava Naate Maava Raaj in villages. 

Adepu Mahender