Shocking allegations: Kothagudem tribal women say forest officials attacked them after taking bribe

Tribal families in Kothagudem accuse forest officials of demanding bribes and later assaulting women despite receiving payment. Telangana Jagruthi and Adivasi groups visit Iravendi village, vowing legal action after disturbing accounts of physical abuse and threats over podu land cultivation

Kothagudem: In a serious allegation, tribal families of Iravendi gram panchayat in Burgampadu mandal here have said Forest officials demanded and took money from them to stay away from the podu lands being cultivated by them.

This was before the June 20 incident in which forest officials and tribals clashed, with the women later lodging a complaint with the police stating that the forest officials assaulted them, tore the clothes of one woman, and attempted to molest them.

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According to the victims, forest officials demanded Rs 60,000 from 30 tribal families three days before the June 20 attack. Each family contributed Rs 2,000 and also offered 3 kg of country chicken, hoping to prevent raids and trench-digging in their fields. The women alleged that forest personnel then bought liquor and partied on the podu lands.

Despite this, the tribals said forest officials attacked them while they were sowing cotton seeds. Women were reportedly kicked, their clothes torn, and their pleas ignored.

Speaking to Telangana Jagruthi State leader Kishan Naik and his team, who visited the village to show solidarity, the women shared disturbing accounts.

One of them, Madakam Nandini, said she was carrying her child when she was pushed and kicked by forest personnel. Another, Kunja Jogamma, alleged that she was beaten severely.

Thati Lakshmi claimed that a forest official unzipped his pants in a threatening gesture when she objected to their actions. An Anganwadi teacher who tried to record the incident was also allegedly threatened.

Kishan Naik, addressing the media, questioned how Deputy Range Officer Nagaraju, previously caught red-handed by ACB while accepting a bribe, was re-posted in the same area. He vowed that Telangana Jagruthi would legally support the affected Adivasi families.

Adivasi Employees Cultural Welfare Association leader Podiam Balraju and Adivasi Mahila Sangham State president Vattam Subhadhra also visited the village in support of the victims.