Khammam, November 23:A bandh was observed in Bhadrachalam by non-tribals today denouncing the move to take action against them for constructing houses in the agency area in violation of 1/70 tribal Act.
The non-tribals claim that they have every right to construct houses in the agency area despite the enactment of 1/70 tribal Act as they settled down in Bhadrachalam decades ago. The Congress, CPI, CPM, TDP, TRS and Poura Samithi extended support to the cause of non-tribals.
Following a directive of ITDA project officer Praveen Kumar, the revenue officials conducted a survey in the temple town and prepared 3,000 notices to serve them on non-tribals for constructing houses in the agency area violating the 1/70 tribal Act.
The non-tribals held rallies in the town opposing the move to issue notices to them for constructing houses in the agency area. The bandh was total.
All shops, business establishments, cinemas, government and private offices and petrol pumps remained closed. The all-party leaders demanded that the government issue possession certificates to non-tribals who constructed houses in the agency area.
The revenue officials should stop issuing notices to non-tribals for constructing houses in the agency area.
All-party leaders Balanarasa Reddy, Ravikumar, Ramachary, N Prasad, Jagadeesh, P Satyam and others ensured the success of the bandh.
Tension prevailed in the town when tribal organisations held rallies seeking action against violators of 1/70 tribal Act. They burnt the local MP and MLA in effigy accusing them of supporting non-tribals. Speaking on the occasion, tribal association leaders V Narayana and S Adinarayana said some non-tribals occupied tribal lands in violation of the 1/70 tribal Act. They expressed their resolve to continue the stir to safeguard the interests of tribals.
–IANS