Reservation feud turns violent, cops hurt in Telangana

THOUGH INITIAL

REPORTS SAID FIVE WERE KILLED, A LATE NIGHT RELEASE FROM THE TELANGANA DGP SAID THAT THERE WERE NO DEATHS

HYDERABAD: Several people, including policemen, were injured when a group of Gond Adivasis clashed with Lambadas or Banjaras in northern Telangana on Friday after days of tension over the former’s demand to remove the latter from the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Though initial reports said five were killed at Husnapur village in Komuram Bheem district, a late night release from Telangana director general of police, M Mahender Reddy, said there were no deaths. He asked tribals not to believe the rumours spread by mischief mongers to stoke violence.

However, two persons — Jithender Rathod, 30, and Sheik Farooq, 50 — were killed and another person Gyaneshwar Jadav was injured when a vehicle ran over them as the driver, who was trying to escape from the violent attacks by tribals, lost control over steering at the trouble-torn village.

The trouble began on Friday morning when local Adivasis noticed a garland of chappals around the statue of Kumaram Bheem, a Gond leader who fought against Nizam rule and is revered as a hero by tribals.

Soon, Adivasi youth went on a rampage and attacked the houses of Lambadas in the village. They set fire to several shops, damaged vehicles, and assaulted Lambada families.

The situation calmed only after police forces from Utnoor block rushed there and assured agitators that they would take stern action against those who desecrated the statue.

Meanwhile, the Lambadas also took out a counter-rally in protest against the attacks by Adivasis.

This led to clashes between the two groups, who pelted stones and attacked each other with sticks and spears.

To control the situation, police lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to cane-charge. Several people were also taken into custody. Normalcy could be restored only by evening.

The DGP said a large contingent of forces had been deployed in the violence-hit village and surrounding areas to control the situation. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code were also clamped.

Two companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) were rushed to affected areas. Three officers of the rank of inspector general of police (IGP) — DS Chowhan, Anil Kumar and Y Nagi Reddy — left for the village to review the situation and take appropriate measures.

The discontent among the Adivasis against Lambadas has been brewing for quite some time in the tribal areas of northern Telangana as they fear the Lambadas were cornering most of the jobs available under the ST quota.

Adivasis considered Lambadas as outsiders who settled in the area coming from other neighbouring states.

The state reserves 6% of its jobs for Scheduled Tribes. In April, a bill was passed in the assembly to raise the quota to 10%.

According to the 2011 census, the STs constitute 9.91% of Telangana’s 36.3 million population.

The Lambadas, who were initially circumspect, have started counter-agitations in the recent past. Three days ago, they held a massive public meeting in Hyderabad, asking the government not to succumb to pressure from Adivasis but come out with a solution that does not affect the interest of both the groups.

They warned of a serious agitation if they are removed from the ST list.