Non-locals being encouraged: Tribals

Important demands include cancellation of voter ID card, ration card, trade licenses and appointment of non-tribals in government posts. Mr Dora said that the government has been encouraging non-adivasis by announcing ZTPCs and MPTCs seats for local elections, which was against the Constitution. Demanding a ban on tourism, he said sex trade was being organised in a big way in the name of tourism. “If the government fails to respond, we should be prepared for a showdown,” he told the gathering. Representatives from various organisations, including teachers from Andhra University, exhorted up the adivasis to fight for their rights. Chanda Eliah, one such vocal supporter of protests, said that adivasis had to vote for YSRCP as they had no alternative. He suggested that the movement should be apolitical and against the government only because it was encouraging settlers. E.A.S. Sarma, retired civil servant, stressed on the importance of gram sabhas, which were incorporated in the PESA and Fifth Schedule. He said that the Adivasis should vote for those political parties whose manifesto matched their charter of demands.

■ MR DORA said that the government has been encouraging non-adivasis by announcing ZTPCs and MPTCs seats for local elections, which was against the Constitution. Demanding a ban on tourism, he said sex trade was being organised in a big way in the name of tourism. “If the government fails to respond, we should be prepared for a showdown,” he told the gathering.