Cops assaulted, taken hostage by tribals

Friday, December 20, 1996.

Express News Service

Jangareddigudem,(West Godavari dt), Dec 19: Tension built up in Reddyganapavaram of Buttayagudem mandal today after tribals beat up a few of 80 policemen who went there to arrest them in connection with a case of illegal harvesting of paddy raised by non-tribals and held the entire force 'hostage'.

The tribals set them free late in the night after the senior revenue and police officials 'apologised' for not employing women police while dealing with women and for the 'excesses' the police had reportedly committed and promising that such incidents would not occur in future.

The tribals took objection to the police investigation of the case an caused injuries to two constables took away a rifle from a police constable after throwing chilli powder in their eyes and roughied up several others. They also deflated the tyre of the vehicles in which the police men went there.

About 1,500 tribals from nearly 10 villages laid siege to Reddyganaparam making it almost impossible for the police to withdraw from the action scene armed with bows and arrows. According to reports, the tribals did not allow supply of water to their 'captives'.

When the situation was getting out of control, Jangareddygudem Deputy Superiendent of Police J. Brahma Reddy reached the village and tried to hold talks with the tribals who sought to know why the police were after the tribals who were innocent. At one stage it appeared as if the DSP himself had become a captive in the tribals' hands.

Joint Collector Subrahmanyam, Additional Superiendent of Police Lakshmi Reddy, Kovvur Revenue Divisional Officer Sarada Devi, Kovvur DSP Tilak reached the village in the afternoon. But only in the evening the tribals relented on their stand.

According to reports reaching here, several tribal leaders entered into heated arguments with the officials questioning them why they were after them when they were innocent. They wanted to know what crime they had committed to become accused in a police case. The efforts of the officials to convine the tribals that the harvesting of paddy belonging to non-tribals constituted a crime and therefore the law had to take its course only heightened tension. The tribals accused the police of using force unnecessarily against them to which complaint the Joint Collector assured the tribals that he would have their allegation investigated. But the assurance could not pacify the tribals who stuck to their guns saying they would not set free the policemen held "hostage" by them. Only after persuation until late in the night did the tribals relent.

65 policemen being held captive by tribals

The Hindu, Friday, December 20, 1996.

From Our Staff Reporter

Eluru, Dec. 19: A posse of 65 policemen, including five officers, has been held captive by tribals of Reddygudem village of Buttayagudem mandal in West Godavari district, 76 km from here, since early hours of Thursday.

According to information reaching here, the police went to the village to arrest Mrs. Gowramma, a tribal woman who is leading a land movement in the area. The tribals, armed with bows and arrows, attacked the police party and hurt a constable, Mr. Abraham, and snatched a rifle from another constable. They surrounded the policemen and did not allow them to move demanding the presence of the District Collector, Mr. D. Ramakrishna, and an assurance from him to land issue. About 500 tribals reportedly participated in the attack. It is stated that two Inspectors and three Sub-Inspectors, 50 APSP constables and 10 constables have been held captive. On learning about the incident, Mr. M. Subrahmanyam, Joint Collector and Mr. Lakshma Reddy, Additional Superintendent of Police, rushed to the village to hold negotiations with the tribals. Mr. Punna Rao, Superintendent of Police, is monitoring the situation from Eluru.

The land problem has assumed alarming proportions in the tribal areas of West Godavari district. Non-tribals had purchased or occupied the land and brought it under cultivation in the last few decades. But some voluntary organizations stepped up campaign to protect the rights of the tribals and evict non-tribals from their lands, when the lower courts gave judgement in favour of tribals, the non-tribals moved higher courts and obtained stay of their eviction.

Meanwhile, the tribals organized themselves to force the eviction of the non-tribals leading to law and order problems. Tribals resorted to reaping the crop sowed by the non-tribals in Bhusarajupalli last year when the land issue came to the fore. Tribals are harvesting the crops wherever they could mobilize their strength. Reddygudem is just five km from Bhusarajupalli. The problem has become acute in the three tribal mandals of Buttayagudem, Jeelugumilli and Polavaram. The tribals are seeking implementation of Sec 1 (70) of the Tribal Land Act to protect their right on the land.

Tension again in agency area

The Hindu, December 22, 1996.

From Our Staff Reporter

Eluru, Dec. 21: Though Reddyganapavaram, which witnessed a violent clash between the police and tribals remained peaceful, tension prevailed in parts of the agency area of West Godavari district on Saturday.

According to reports reaching here, 200 tribals led by Mrs. Bhulakshmi, who is spearheading the land struggle in Polavaram area, reaped paddy in 13 acres belonging to non-tribal farmers at Ramannapalem on Saturday. Much significance is attached to the development as for the first time the tribals stepped into the fields of farmers belonging to an influential community in the area. The police fear reprisal from non-tribal farmers.

Meanwhile, tribals who descended on Reddyganapavaram in support of their clansmen, destroyed tobacco crop on 190 acres belonging to non-tribal farmers while returning to their villages on Friday. The tribals trampled on tender tobacco plants and caused serious damage.

Confusion prevailed at the police headquarters here on Saturday as Reddyganapavaram could not be contacted on telephone. The Superintendent of Police, Mr. Punna Rao, proceeded to Buttayagudem for an on-the-spot study of the situation. Jangareddygudem Dy. SP, Mr. J. Brahmareddy, is already camping at Buttayagudem and monitoring the situation. Prohibitory orders were promulgated in sensitive villages to avoid any law and order problem.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Workers' Union , affiliated to the CPI(M), district president, Mr. M. Eswaraiah, and secretary, Mr. Mantena Seetharam, condemned the police raid on Reddyganapavaram and demanded action against the officers responsible for it. In a press note they alleged that the raid was the result of connivance of the Government machinery with the landlords. Instead of freeing the lands under the occupation of landlords and assigning them to tribals, the administration was dragging its feet on the issue and allowing the problem to aggravate, they charged. The leaders stated that the struggle would go on until the lands were restored to tribals.