Metro India News | ETURNAGARAM

Fresh tension erupted in Shankarraju Palli village of Eturnagaram Mandal on Saturday after forest officials allegedly attempted to demolish houses constructed by Adivasi families. Tribal leaders from Tudum Debba and Adivasi Students’ Association visited the area on Wednesday, strongly opposing the action and vowing to intensify protests.

Tudum Debba state president Dr. Maipati Arun Kumar, along with BJP Girijan Morcha State general secretary Kothapalli Surender, condemned the repeated attacks. “How can bulldozers be a tool of governance?” they questioned, demanding answers from Panchayati Raj Minister Seethakka, under whose constituency such attacks reportedly occurred at least six times.

Villagers said they lost their land during the 1986 Godavari floods and have been residing here since. They alleged that forest officials carried out five demolition drives since May 2024, without issuing any notice. Leaders said the land under Survey No. 123 was originally revenue land and only notified—but never gazetted—as forest land in 1967. Of the 60 acres, 230 houses were sanctioned under schemes like Indiramma Housing.

They also questioned the forest department’s silence on rampant illegal sand mining in the Godavari river, even within eco-sensitive zones, while targeting poor tribals. Tudum Debba warned of a district-wide stir if demolitions continue. Leaders including Podem Babu, Kornibelli Ganesh, and Alem Ashok participated in the visit.