Podu farmers clash with forest officials in minister Seethakka’s Mulugu district

Tension prevailed in Kalvapalli village of SS Tadvai mandal in Mulugu district after podu farmers clashed with forest officials who attempted to dig trenches. Farmers claimed they have been cultivating the land for 25 years and demanded an immediate halt to the activity

Mulugu: Tension prevailed for some time as podu farmers clashed with forest officials who tried to dig trenches in podu lands at Kalvapalli village of SS Tadvai mandal in Panchayat Raj Minister Seethakka’s native Mulugu district. According to sources, Singaram forest range officials reached the site along with an earthmover to dig trenches on Tuesday.

On learning this, a large group of podu farmers, both men and women, also reached the site and entered into arguments with the forest officials. The farmers said they had been cultivating the land for the past 25 years and questioned how the officials could deprive them of their livelihood. The protesting farmers climbed into the earthmover’s bucket, preventing the officials from digging trenches.
It led to a scuffle between the podu farmers and forest officials. Responding to the incident, Adivasi Students Association leader Koppula Ravi and Adivasi Sena leader Alam Srinu objected to the forest officials’ efforts to dig trenches in podu lands. The Congress party, which came to power by promising to ensure Praja Palana, has been acting against the interests of the podu farmers. Minister Seethakka should look into the issue and direct the forest officials to stop harassing podu farmers, they demanded.

---

The local adivasis have been engaged in podu farming on the land for many years and their livelihood should not be snatched away. If the forest officials fail to stop digging trenches in podu lands, it could lead to serious consequences, the leaders warned.