Row over tribal lands hotting up

The Hindu, October 21, 1995.

From Our Staff Reporter

RAJAHMUNDRY , Oct. 20 : "-- until the contrary is proved, any immovable property situated in the Agency tracts and in the possession of a person who is not a member of Scheduled Tribal shall be presumed to have been acquired by persons or his predecessor in possession, through a transfer made to him by a member of Scheduled Tribe."

"Tribals not only require to be preserved and protected in respect of their economic and educational interests, but they also require to be immunized from social injustice and exploitation."

These observations had been made by Court, while rejecting an appeal by some non-tribals, questioning the validity of some provisions of the AP Scheduled Areas Land Transfer Regulation Act 1959, as amended by Regulation 1 of 1970, which prohibited transfer of land in scheduled areas from a non-tribal even to another non-tribal. This was in 1988.

It is a moot point whether tribals in the agency tracts of East Godavari and West Godavari are aware of these observations. But they have been asking this very inconvenient question to both non-tribals and officers concerned in the agency tracts. How did you - non-tribal - get this land in the agency area? Also they seem to be determined to protect themselves against exploitation, if incidents in the last about three months, specially in the three agency mandals of West Godavari, namely Polavaram, Buttayagudem and Jeelugumilli besides some areas in East Godavari district are any indication.

Widening gap

The chasm between tribals and non-tribals over the issue of land, seem to be widening with ominous portents. On October 15 a group of tribals attacked non-tribals in Jillellagudem village of Jeelugumilli mandal. It had threatened to develop into a law and order problem but prompt action by police and provision of a police picket had prevented the situation from turning worse.

This was only the latest in a series of incidents between tribals and non-tribals that started with 'occupation' by the farmer the lands of the latter in May. When, the Special Deputy Collector (Tribal Welfare), West Godavari , had acquired some 27 acres of fertile land in Jeelugumilli village and distributed the same to tribals, it had caused resentment among non-tribal farmers.

Emboldened by this decision, tribals started occupying other stretches of lands, asserting that the land is Assessed Waste Dry (ASW)-Poramboke in popular parlance-and the same should be given to them. When non-tribal farmers asserted that they had documentary proof of their ownership of land which they had been enjoying for the last several decades, officials asked them to produce the same.

No documents

At least 17 non-tribal farmers failed to produce such proof, Meanwhile, the phenomenon of tribals either occupying non-tribal lands or preventing non-tribals from cultivating the lands had spread to other villages such as Thotaramnnagudem, Lankalapalli, Munugopula, Kothanagapalem, Reddynagampalem, etc. This had led promulgation of Section 145, etc., and non-tribals resorting to relay hunger fasts. Incidentally, when the issue was raging, Mr. Arvind Kumar, the then sub-collector, of Kovvuru was transferred to East Godavari as Joint Collector in August. The allegation was that he was acting against the interest of powerful non-tribal farmers. According to sources, he was instrumental in getting some 27 acres of fertile land distributed to tribals in May.

A couple of days back, the Project Officer of ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency), West Godavari , Mr. D. Rajesam was also transferred. Strong political pressure had reportedly been exerted to move out these officers.

The District Collector ( West Godavari ), Mr. D. Ramakrishna visited the affected areas din the third week of July and assured the tribals that he would get lands in agency areas survey land distribute poramboke lands to poor tribals. On October 12, the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovvuru gave a judgment in respect of some disputed lands which, tribals felt, went against their interests. But the point is, despite the decision in their favour, non-tribals were unable to cultivate the lands.

Warnings ignored

Tribals seemed to have lost confidence to officials, for they are in no mood to obey them. Non-tribals in Munturu village in Devipatnam mandal in East Godavari complain that tribals have been cultivating land in violation of authorities that action would be taken, seem to have made no impact on tribals.

Non-tribals in the agency areas also complain that they were not able to cultivate even their patta lands. According to sources, the extent of land to be assigned or restored to the transferors, under the provisions of the A.P.S.A.L.T. (Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Areas Land Transfer) Regulation, 1959 in the mandals of Buttayagudem, Polavaram and Jeelugumilli is about 6600 acres.

There is nothing in these three mandals that gives the impression that it is an agency area. Major share of the land is in possession of non-tribals. While the extent of land possessed by tribals is only 13,358 acres, non-tribals enjoy the fruits from as much as 28,367 acres in these three mandals. This gave an indication of migration of non-tribals from plans to tribal areas over a period of time. There is agreement, among all sections concerned, on one thing that unless the issue of land is solved to the satisfaction of tribals and non-tribals, the result could be a serious law and order problem. The wages of delay could also be very high.

Tribals flare-up to take possession of their lands

Newsflash, November 28, 1995.

Eluru, Nov 27 : The huge extent of surplus land taken possession under the Land Ceiling Act in Buttayigudem, Polavaram and Jelugumilli mandals is now under the occupation and enjoyed by rich . landlords, informed Bhadrachalam Tribal MLA, Mr Kunjabojji at a news conference at CPM Office here on Wednesday.

He said that in addition to the sur­plus land, the assessed waste and non-objectionable lands were also monopolised by the landlords under benami title deeds and 'D' form pattas.

They have cheated the government and also the tribals, who toiled on these lands for centuries, he lament­ed.

Unable to bear the injustice and denial of their rights on property, they flared up and entered into the lands.

When they tried to take the pos­session, with the assistance of rev­enue officials, they were arrested and imprisoned under false cases implicated by the landlords with the support of politicians. s In August this year the tribals were arrested for tresspassing. The police say that the lands now under the occupation of non-tribals and culti­vated by trials are said to be cov­ered by High Court stay orders, but it is incorrect, in respect of several cases, Mr Kunjabojji blamed.

Nearly 2,000 acres of government land and land ceilings' surplus land in Busarajupalli, Reddy Ganapavaram, Palakunta, Paidiavarigudem, Pamulavarigudem, gangannagudem, Dibbagudem, Mulagalampalli, Palakalagudu, kanakapuram, Chandramma Colony, H/o Jeelugumilli, Palacharla, Ankampalem of Buttaigudem and jeelugumilli mandals were unused to the land dis­putes.

However, crops in 200 acres in Jeelugumilli mandal is ready for harvest and the Girijans will enter these lands in a few days for agri­cultural process.

The politicians and officials who assured justice to tribals and lifting of cases has not initiated any action so far.

Ultimately many tribals are based at Central Jail of Rajahmundry with no fault.

The DSP of Jangareddigudem, Mr 3 Brahma Reddy on the plea of maintaining law and order is harass­ing the tribals. The MRO's of the tribal area are not allowed to Interevene.

The situation has changed now with active participation of the women folk on the fore front

The Naxals, CPI, TDP and Congress parties have now agreed for amendment of Tribal acts whereas the CPI-M will fight tooth and nail against amendment.

The tribals numbering more than 5,000 will commence harvesting in Polavaram Mandal in a few days."

Earlier, a delegation was led by MLA Kunjabojji to District Collector

President and secretary of the District Rythu Karmika Sangham, Messrs M Eswarniah and Mantena Seetaram, participated in the meeting.

Non-tribals try to attack Collector

Newsflash

Eluru, Dec J2t.Thc uptoward behaviour of the non-tribals of the agency area and the way they spoke to the District Collector, Mr D Raniakrishna, had led to confusion and a wordy duel between the offi­cials present in Collector's chamber and non-tribals on Wednesday.

At one stage they pushed towards Collector in rage. The officials pre­sent there formed a ring around Mr Ramakrishna and Joint Collector, Mr M Subrahmanyam to keep them at bay.

It may be recalled lhat the non-tribals who had a scuffle with the tribals for the past two years over the ownership are facing threats of -'armed attack and trespassing.

The dispute increased in August-September this year, when some Tribals were arrested for trespass­ing into non-tribal lands.

The government has established Settlement Court at Kovvur and a Special Deputy Collector Tribal Welfare Court at Kola Ramachandrapuram to solve their problems bu attention was not paid because of last Lok Sabha elections and then cyclones.

The Bhadrachalam Tribal MLA, Mr Kunja Bojji, in recent past visit­ed the area and said that the Tribals will agitate and take possession of their lands.

The Collector on Wednesday tried to pacify the angry non-tribals and informed that the RDO of Kovvur was on the job to find out a solution

Then the dissatisfied non-tribals started arguing the Collector who was having discussions with the district officials accompanying the World Bank team.

The main hitch of non-tribals was delay in implementation of LRT Act of 1/70.

Added to this the Non-tribals are also sore over revenue and police departments' attitude.