CPM protests neglect of tribals

The Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPM), led by State Secretary V Srinivasa Rao, held a protest on Saturday, decrying the neglect of tribal rights by both central and state governments. Rao accused authorities of failing to safeguard tribal interests, particularly in the context of the controversial DSC Ordinance (G.O.No.3) and alleged land allocations to the Adani Group.
Termed ‘Aadivasi Jana Rakshana Deeksha’, the demonstration aimed to draw attention to various issues, including the rehabilitation of those displaced by the Polavaram Project and the protection of tribal rights. Participants, including tribal representatives and leftist leaders from the Agency areas, gathered at the dharna Chowk in Vijayawada to voice their grievances.
Addressing the crowd, Srinivasa Rao affirmed the CPM’s solidarity with the tribal cause, lambasting the central government for encroaching upon tribal rights in areas like the Araku Parliament. He accused authorities of favouring corporations like Adani at the expense of tribal communities, citing the allocation of forest lands without proper consultation.
Rao criticized the government’s track record on development, noting the absence of basic amenities like roads, water, healthcare, and employment opportunities in tribal regions. He lamented the plight of educated but unemployed youth, highlighting the failure of authorities to address their concerns.
Furthermore, Rao pointed out the government’s lapses in the completion of the Polavaram Project and its failure to provide adequate rehabilitation for displaced individuals.
The protest saw the participation of prominent figures from the CPI Secretariat, including Jalli Wilson and Akkineni Vanaja, as well as CPM leaders such as Ch Babu Rao, Y Venkateswara Rao, D Subba Rao, V Venkateswarlu, Y Kesavara Rao, and D Rama Devi.