Congress government’s inexplicable hastiness exposed in GO 49 row

Protests have forced the State government to suspend GO 49, which proposed a tiger reserve in Asifabad. Tribals allege it was issued without consultation and intended to evict them. They demand its withdrawal, citing delays in rehabilitation and compensation

Adilabad: Widespread protests by tribals, tribal rights organisations, and political parties have forced the State government to keep the controversial Government Order (GO) 49 in abeyance. The order sought to create the Kumram Bheem Asifabad Tiger Conservation Reserve in the corridor area of the Kawal Tiger Reserve. The move has now come under scrutiny, with questions raised over the process of its issuance.

Tribals, along with Tudum Debba and various political parties, launched intense protests against the GO. Their collective outcry compelled the government to issue another order putting GO 49 on hold. While the decision temporarily diffused the protests, the agitators are continuing to demand complete withdrawal of the order.

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It is learnt that the government issued the order on May 30 without consulting stakeholders, including the affected communities. While forest officials welcomed the move, tribals and residents of forest-fringe villages reacted sharply, alleging a conspiracy to displace them under the guise of wildlife conservation.

The tribals staged road blockades, submitted representations to revenue officials, and observed a bandh on July 21. They also urged local public representatives to mount pressure on the government. Asifabad MLA Kova Laxmi and Sirpur (T) MLA Dr Harish Babu extended support to the protests.

Adding to the controversy, the State government reportedly did not inform or consult the Union government regarding the GO. “Usually, any decision related to tiger conservation is taken in consultation with the Centre. In this case, the State neither intimated nor sought the Centre’s opinion,” a source said.

In a parallel development, tribals reoccupied two villages, Maisampet and Rampur, located in the core of the Kawal Tiger Reserve. They were protesting the prolonged delay in the disbursal of rehabilitation packages promised for vacating their lands in June. Forest officials were forced to hold discussions and concede to some of the demands.

Tribals alleged that the promised compensation was being withheld under various pretexts. Forest officials, meanwhile, blamed revenue officials, tasked with approving the packages, for negligence, which they said was hindering the relocation process.