48-hour deeksha launched seeking podu land pattas to tribal tillers in Kothagudem

Kothagudem: Various peoples' organisations in the district have taken up the cause of podu lands issue and have been staging protests seeking the district administration to issue pattas to tribals.

On Tuesday, the members of Adivasi Hakkula Porata Samithi and Tudum Debba started a 48-hour deeksha at the District Collector's office. The leaders of the organisations appealed to the officials to take up a special drive to issue pattas to adivasis cultivating podu lands in the district.

Adivasi Advocates Forum leader Sunnam Ramesh and Adivasi JAC leader Payam Srinivas have demanded the Central government to bring an ordinance out to redress the orders given by the Supreme Court that called for eviction of forest dwellers and rejected land rights in forest areas under the Record of Forest Rights Act.

Tudum Debba national convener R Laxmaiah informed that they would hold a public meeting at Yellandu on June 23, seeking protection of Adivasis engaged in podu land cultivation.

On the other hand, the TRS ZPTC Mereddy Vasantha and other elected members have submitted a petition to Kothagudem Joint Collector K Venkateswarlu on Tuesday to address the issue.