HYDERABAD: What actually triggered the clashes between aboriginal tribes and Lambadas in agency areas of erstwhile Adilabad district? According to officials sources, the insecure feeling among aboriginals, following a circular issued by the district administration in June, is the reason for the sudden clashes. District collector Champalal issued an official circular in June this year to revenue officials to include the names of Lambadas in the pahani, a revenue record in which the rights of ownership of lands pertaining to agriculturists are noted. The decision will favour Lambadas, mostly migrated to Agency areas, to get ownership rights over the lands, which actually belongs to aboriginal tribes (Adivasis).
The action by the district administration, according to official sources, is out of sheer inexperience and lack of knowledge about the existing Acts. Also, pressure by a ruling party politician (hailing from Lambada community) made the officials release the circular, sources said. This infuriated the Adivasis, who were upset over losing rights of their lands. The aboriginals even could not find a single political leader or an official to represent their case.
“All the public representatives, officials belong to other than aboriginal tribes (Koya and Gondu). Aboriginal tribes were worried that they had no one to represent and no one was available to console them,” an official said.The fear among aboriginals that they would lose rights over their own lands led to serious agitations in the past, which was led by Komaram Bheem.
Sources said that the Lambadas who lived a nomadic life in camps called tandas, gradually came and settled down in villages. Soon they started occupying the lands of Koyas and Gonds. Adivasis have been demanding cancellation of ST reservations to Lambadas, which was in force from 1974. Though, exclusion of Lambadas from ST reservation category is not possible, state government may soon find ways to pacify Adivasis which might include posting officers belonging to Koya or Gond and cancellation of circular issued by district authorities, which is not valid as per the existing Tribal Act, sources said.
Lambada students at OU demand action
Many students belonging to the Lambada community protesting in front of Arts College in Osmania University demanded action against the culprits behind alleged killing of Lambada persons in the violence that occurred in Utnoor, Adilabad district on Friday. Some students were taken under preventive custody and later released.