Demanding justice for displaced tribals of
V. Madugula mandal, Visakhapatnam district, A.P
As the district administration failed in responding to the just demands of displaced tribals of Madugula mandal (due to construction of three reservoirs - Pedderu, Urakagada and Tarakarama), Visakhapatnam for proper rehabilitation, relay hunger strikes are started from today i.e 15th of October in the mandal headquarters.
A rally was organised with around 250 tribals, comprising representatives from displaced families of three panchayats (Tatiparthi, Sankaram and Jalampalli)and also from other villages who came to express solidarity with the displaced. After the rally a meeting was held at the Gandhi Park, the venue for hunger strike. Mr. Ajay kumar, State Secretary APVVU addressed the gathering. He detailed the issues and the efforts so far and the government's inadequate response and inaction. And he called for united action of displaced tribals to fight for justice.
Mr. Philip George, President, South Indian Handloom weavers Federation, Bangalore who specifically attended the meeting to express solidarity with the displaced tribals also addressed the gathering He condemned the policies of the state and Central governments, that are resulting in displacement of poor from their livelihood means. Handloom weavers are being alienated from their skill & occupation and tribal from their land. He said that the demands of the displaced and project affected tribals for the implementation of rehabilitation package, including provision of land to each household are just and are their basic rights which the government should oblige. Later 10 members who sat on hunger strike for today are garlanded.
The relay hunger strikes will continue upto 23rd of October and from 24th , fast unto death will be started if the District administration fails to come up with specific promises and actions. We demand that the District collector should visit the villages and conduct a review meeting regarding the implementation of rehabilitation package immediately.
Reservoir wise specific issues and demands:
Present Status of pedderu Reservoir displacement and our demands
1. The government has not yet started implementing the rehabilitation package for the displaced adivasis of Rayapalem, Korramamidipalem & Kumandanaipata villages despite they are forced to vacate their respective places three years ago.
2. Land purchase scheme under the rehabilitation package has not yet been implemented. Government officials had neglected the advices of the displaced people regarding the land purchase and distribution. Though the land owners of Degalapalem and Kamakotam villages have come forward to sell the lands ,the government has not executed its plans sofar.
3. The displaced people of the submerged villages of Jalampalli, and Maddulapalli, did not get any compensation for their D-form lands. In addition to it they are neither served with any notice of cancellation nor compensation promised for the submerged crops and trees.
4. Promises of rehabilitation package, on school construction and community hall remain as paper promises with no further process on this.
5. The already constructed 74 houses are not conducive for living as they are with incomplete flooring and other unfinished works.
6. Though electricity was promised as part of the rehabilitation package, no work has been carried on , in this regard so far.
7. The promised formation and registration of fish cooperative Societies for the displaced adivasis has not yet been moved for registration.
8. We demand the government to issue temporary orders for adivasis to start the fisheries till the registration gets over.
9. The sanction of 20 houses under the Indira Avasa Yojana scheme which came as a follow up of the promises made by the District collector on 12.7.2002 for the displaced Adivasis of Goppalapalem should be implemented urgently.
10. The land displaced adivasis of Siripuram and Goppuru should also be considered as displaced and the rehabilitation package should cover them.
Urakagadda Reservoir, Sankaram Panchayat
1. The government has acquired the lands of the adivasis of Bodrevu and Ramachandra puram H/o Shankaram without serving any notices. They are not paid any compensation for this.
2. Bodrevu adivasis should be considered as displaced as they have lost their lands and road.
3. Adivasi tenant farmers of temple lands in Ramachandrapuram H/O Shankaram should be paid compensation as they had lost their livelihood due to land acquisition for the reservoir.
Tarakarama Reservoir, Thatiparthi Panchayat
1. Since the adivasis of Tenkalapadu and Thummalapalem of Padaru Mandal have lost their land due to reservoir they should be considered as displaced and rehabilitation package should be made to cover them.
2. The land-displaced adivasis of Garikibanda and Belallapelam H/OThatiparthi should be compensated with land for land method.
3. Since the Kasipuram adivasis have lost their lands due to the construction of the main canal, they should be provided with rehabilitation.
Other Demands
1. In order to speed up the rehabilitation package for the displaced adivasis, we request the responsibility of Urakagadda and Tarakarama land acquisitions to be transferred from Narsipatnam RDO to Pedderu Special Deputy Collector.
2 .The rehabilitation committee of pedderu reservoirs has to be expanded to Urakagadda and Tarakaram reservoirs. The Displaced of Urakagadda and Tarakarama should be given space for representation in the committee.
3 .The rehabilitation committee has to review its development every month.
4 .We demand the district collector to conduct one review meeting with the Departments of ITDA, Project Officers and other related officers.
We request all of you to express solidarity to the struggle of displaced tribals and send petitions to district collector, Visakhapatnam.(email:
collector_vsk@rediffmail.com) In solidarity,
P.S Ajay Kumar,
State general Secretary,
Andhra Pradesh Vyavasaya Vrittidarula Union(APVVU)
Email:: 
URL::