ADILABAD: For the first time in 44 years, the Indravelli martyrs’ anniversary was officially observed on Sunday. Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Dansari Anasuya (Seethakka) paid tributes at the Indravelli martyrs’ memorial.
The minister honoured the sacrifices of the tribals and said the Congress government would extend all possible support to the families of the victims. She announced that, as per eligibility, employment would be provided to them either through the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) or the Panchayat Raj department.
Seethakka promised that the government would allot five acres of cultivable land and house sites under the Indiramma scheme to each of the victims’ families. A committee under the ITDA will be formed to assess the problems faced by tribals and the families of those killed in the 1981 police firing, she added.
Memorial to honour victims with photos by next year: Minister
She added that the photos of the victims would be displayed at the martyrs’ memorial by next year.
On the occasion, the minister also distributed cheques to self-help groups and said the Congress government had removed all restrictions and formally recognised the memorial day. She recalled that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had announced one acre of land and Rs 1 crore for the development of the memorial, along with several other developmental works in the region.
It may be recalled that on April 20, 1981, 13 tribals were killed in police firing at Indravelli village in the then undivided Adilabad district. The Adivasi Girijana Rythu Kuli Sangam had planned a massive public meeting to raise their voice against land encroachments and exploitation. The police denied permission and imposed prohibitory orders in the area. However, the news did not reach many villagers and students who had already arrived for the meeting. As tensions escalated, the police opened fire, killing 13 tribals, as per official records.
In 1986, the Adivasis constructed a memorial at the site, but it was demolished by the government the same year. Following protests, the government reconstructed the memorial in 1987. Since 1982, tribals have been observing the day, paying tributes every year. From 2002 onwards, police permitted a limited number of Gond community members to attend the event, often under strict conditions due to the movement’s early links to Maoist agitation.
Following the 1981 incident, successive governments have focused on tribal welfare, including promoting education and employment as a means to steer youth away from extremism.
Adilabad MP Godam Nagesh, Mancherial MLA Prem Sagar Rao, Superintendent of Police Akhil Mahajan, ITDA Project Officer Khushboo Gupta and other officials and leaders also paid their respects at the memorial.