The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Tribals brace up for a long battle

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 15, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Tribals brace up for a long battle

D. Chandra Bhaskar Rao

Nine lakh acres of their land in occupation

The 1970s witnessed a large-scale influx of non-tribals into the region
A representation made to the then Collector in 2000, says State convenor

BHADRACHALAM: The tribal communities have a long battle ahead of them to find a permanent solution to the issue of land alienation, according to Sondu Veeraiah, State convener of the Adivasi Samkshema Parishad (ASP). In an interview to The Hindu, he said nine lakh acres of land belonging to the ethnic tribal groups was in the illegal enjoyment of affluent sections.

They were all showing collective unity to scuttle the implementation process of the land transfer regulations which was must for the restoration of the alienated tribal lands to original owners.

He said that the non–tribals made inroads into the tribal heartland trading salts, sugar, tobacco, oils and chillis. They indulged in large-scale wresting of agriculture land from tribals by paying paltry sums and adopting fraudulent methods. The 1970s witnessed a large-scale influx of non-tribals into the region. The enterprising sections acquired villages in whole thus making the tribes landless in their own land.

The tribals ere deprived of their roots in towns like Bhadrachalm and Sarapaka. He said he made representation to the then Collector, A. Giridhar, seeking allotment of a house site in Bhadrachalam town way back in 2000. He had referred the application to the Sub-Collector and wanted him to consider it on priority. But it did not materialize for years a there was hardly any land left for the tribals here. The temple town population which was less than 6000 in 1970, rose by ten times. But the tribals failed to find a footing in the town which was looked upon as the hub of the tribal heartland. If the Land Transfer Regulations were not made applicable for a place like Bhadrachalam town, they had no relevance at all. Though thousands of buildings were constructed in the town by the non tribals by acquiring land in violation of the scheduled area regulation 1/70, official machinery had turned a blind eye. Some officers issued ejection orders, but they never bothered to implement them. Every transaction effected after 1970 had a very strong case in favour of the tribals to fight for.

The officials were now keen on acting against the LTR violations more because of the pressures from the High Court.

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