ADIVASIS TO ESCALATE FIGHT WITH LAMBADAS

Adivasis will approach the Chief Election Commissioner and also the State Election Commissioner over ST status to Lambadas and appeal them to consider the community as ineligible to contest on seats reserved for STs.

Incidentally, a case is pending in the Supreme Court over ST status to Lambadas.

The decision to approach the election commissions was taken at a meeting of Thudumdebba leaders ‘Adivasula Ikyatha Sabha’ in Adilabad town on Tuesday.

Adivasi Hakkula Porata Samiti (Thudumdebba) state leader Mypathy Arunkumar said the Lambadas were enjoying ST status illegally as it was given to them vide GO No. 149. He said that the GO does not actually say anything about inclusion of Lambadas in STs and ST list.

Mr Arunkumar said Lambadas were not entitled to enjoy ST status as per the SC and ST Assembly Constituencies Delimitation Act-1972.

He said that the Act makes it clear that communities native to reserved constituencies before 1972 can only be considered STs and Lambadas have been enjoying ST status from 1976.

He said they will obstruct Lambada candidates from contesting in constituencies reserved for STs.

Adivasi Hakkula Porata Samiti state leader Mypathy Arunkumar said the Lambadas were enjoying ST status illegally.