Podu farmers march from Asifabad to Hyderabad demanding land titles

Podu farmers from Dimda village launched a march to Hyderabad demanding land titles for forest lands under cultivation. They accused forest officials of harassment and urged the government to honour its poll promise of resolving the Podu land issue.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad/Mancherial: Podu farmers launched a padayatra from Dimda village in Chintalamanepalli mandal to Hyderabad on Wednesday, demanding land titles for the forest lands they have been cultivating. The march reached Mancherial on Thursday.

Speaking to media persons during the walk, the farmers accused Forest officials of harassing them by preventing cultivation and digging trenches to block access. They alleged their livelihoods had been snatched after officials seized the lands they were tilling.

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The farmers said they intended to submit a representation to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy upon reaching Hyderabad, highlighting their plight. They reminded that the Congress had promised to resolve the long-pending Podu land issue in its election manifesto, and urged the government to fulfil that commitment.

Dimda village has been at the centre of frequent clashes between farmers and Forest department staff. While political parties, including the BRS, have extended support to the protesting farmers, officials contend that the lands in question are encroachments by non-tribals and affluent cultivators. They maintained that the eviction drive targets those who are not eligible under forest rights norms.