900 acres of tribal land grabbed in Velimela and Kondakal

ekalavya mallepalli I hyderabad

About 900 acres of land belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) families from Velimela (600 acres) and Kondakal Tanda villages (300 acres) have been allegedly grabbed and later on sold to construction companies, leaving tribal families displaced and devastated.

These lands, once owned by landlords, were surrendered to the government after the Land Ceiling Act introduced in the 70s. In 1973, the government redistributed these lands as Protected Tenancy (PT) lands to tribals and dalits. The large land parcels was owned by one Jagga Reddy who after the land ceiling act was left with 50 acres, say tribal leaders. The Telangana Girijana Sangam general secretary Sri Ram Naik said out of the total land area of 2,000 acres of Jagga Reddy, the government distributed 900 acres to tribals of Velimela and Kondakal.

“We still have government records showing these lands were redistributed to the tribals in 1973. The government must conduct a detailed survey, validate these claims, and return the lands to the rightful owners,” said Ram Naik addressing the media on Saturday.  

Another tribal leader, Ramavath Anjaiah Naik, pointed out that many families were displaced based on false promises made by Vikram Reddy who allegedly sold the land to Aparna Constructions and Greenmark Developers. It is alleged that Vikram Reddy forged documents, including fake patta certificates, and altered survey numbers with the help of revenue officials such as Mandal Revenue Officers (MROs) and Village Revenue Officers (VROs). 

Through these fraudulent means, he allegedly acquired nearly 2,000 acres of land, including 900 acres belonging to tribal families in both the tribal villages. “Entire settlements were uprooted. These families were left without homes, resources, or even burial grounds for their deceased,” he said, highlighting the dire impact of the encroachments. He emphasized the need for the government to prioritize this issue and ensure that the lands belonging to the tribals of both villages are recorded and safeguarded under the newly introduced ‘Bhubharati’ system.

Around six years ago, Vikram Reddy is said to have sold these tribal lands to Aparna Constructions and Greenmark Developers. Following this, tribal residents were forced to vacate under the pretext that they had no legal ownership. Reports also claim that Reddy, in collusion with local officials, forcibly removed an entire tribal settlement called Lower Thanda.

Impact on tribal families

Over 300 families from Kondakal and Velimela villages have been affected. Despite filing complaints and FIRs, there has been little to no action against the accused individuals or corporations, say tribal leaders.  FIRs have been lodged under IPC sections and the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, but no arrests have been made. Meanwhile, tribal families continue to face harassment, with several individuals, including Rathod Shankar, Rathod Ravi, and V. Padma, being falsely booked or jailed for asserting their rights and the youth of the village are also being harassed when they try to intervene for justice.

The tribal community has laid out clear demands for justice, a comprehensive government survey of the disputed lands to verify ownership records, strict legal action against Aparna Constructions, Greenmark Developers, and individuals like Uday Mohan Reddy, SS Reddy of Aparna Constructions, and Kalyan Reddy Gorantla of Greenmark, The immediate return of lands to the displaced tribal families.   

The tribals, under the leadership of Telangana Girijana Sangam, have announced plans to hold a dharna at Indira Park in Hyderabad. They are calling for widespread support from civil society and tribal associations to demand justice. We will not stop until justice is served and the lands are restored to their rightful owners,” said Ramavath Anjaiah Naik, urging solidarity among tribal associations and civil society to join their fight.

1. Many affected families allege that they have not received land passbooks, despite their lands appearing in the Dharani land portal
2. Despite filing complaints and FIRs, there has been little to no action against the accused individuals or corporations, say tribal leaders
4. Telangana Girijana Sangam, has announced plans to hold a dharna at Indira Park in Hyderabad
5.  
6. We still have govern-ment records showing these lands were redistributed to the tribals in 1973. The government must conduct a detailed survey, validate these claims, and return the lands to the rightful owners
7. 
   
8. -Ram Naik General Secretary, Telangana Girijana Sangam