The four-day padayatra by adivasis belonging to non-scheduled villages in Anakapalli district demanding inclusion of their villages in the Fifth Schedule concluded on Monday. Adivasis of Cheedikada, V Madugula, Ravikamatam, Rolugunta, Golugonda and Nathavaram participated in large numbers in the padayatra. Organised by the Fifth Schedule Sadhana Samiti-AP and the All India Adivasi Sangam (ASM), the padayatra culminated at Anakapalli where a public meeting was held at the K. Balagopal Hall in Gundala centre.
Addressing the gathering, Human Rights Forum A.P. & TS Coordination Committee member V.S. Krishna said after the reorganisation of districts in the State, immense injustice was done to adivasis residing in the districts of Anakapalli, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Kakinada and East Godavari.
He said hundreds of adivasi villages were left out of the purview of the ITDAs in these districts. Consequently, they were facing enormous land alienation because of non-inclusion of their villages in the 5th Schedule and this situation was bound to worsen in the coming days.
