All-party meet pitches for protection of tribals rights

Hyderabad: In the wake of Supreme Court order of eviction of forest dwellers, an all-party meeting was held on Tuesday to ponder over the ways to ensure the interests of tribals in the State. The apex court has given July 27 deadline to 17 States to evict the tribals whose claim to the Forest Rights Act has been rejected. 

TPCC chief  N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Congress MLA Haripriya, Congress senior leader Kodanda Reddy, TDP senior leader Peddi Reddy, CPI senior leader Chada Venkat Reddy and representatives of various Adivasi and tribal groups and associations took part.This direction is set to affect 12 lakh tribals across the country including 82,000 from various districts of Telangana.

Speaking on the occasion, Kodandaram (TJS) said that SC decision could be appealed by the respective States."The ground reality and sorry plight of tribals, who suffer with starvation and whose kids are affected with malnutrition should be taken to the notice of States," he said, demanding Telangana government to come to the rescue of Armoor farmers, who are fighting for better MSP. 

TPCC  president Uttam Kumar Reddy said that morale of tribals is at very low after the SC verdict and they should be given all legal help to get justice.Peddi Reddy called upon the TRS government to take up the issues of tribals and Armoor farmers on humanitarian grounds. Chada Venkat Reddy proposed constituting a fact-finding committee to visit tribal areas in various districts and prepare a comprehensive report to ensure their rights are protected.