Podu farmers clash with forest staff in Telangana’s Aswaraopet

Tension prevailed at Udumula Banda tribal village in Aswaraopet mandal of Kothagudem district after migrant Adivasis clashed with forest personnel over trench digging to prevent alleged encroachment. Three tribals suffered minor injuries. Local MLA Jare Adinarayana intervened, halting the work temporarily

Kothagudem: Migrant adivasis clashed with forest personnel who were engaged in digging trenches in forest land at Udumula Banda tribal village of Aswaraopet mandal in the district.

Nearly 25 families from Chhattisgarh migrated to the village several years ago and engaged in cultivation in 150 acres of land. They complained that the forest personnel were attacking and threatening them to stop podu cultivation.

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The tribals stopped the forest staff when they tried to dig trenches with JCB machines. Three tribals suffered minor injuries in the incident. They were shifted to hospital in Forest Department vehicles.

Forest ranger Srinivas claimed that the tribals who have acquired 150 acres of land were trying to clear more than 300 acres of forest land for podu cultivation. Digging of trenches and plantation work was being carried out to prevent encroachment of forest land.

Talks would be held with the tribals and plantation work would be carried out, they said. It was learnt that local MLA Jare Adinarayana intervened and asked the forest officials to stop the trench work at the village until the matter was settled.