Telengana: Adivasis set to declare self-rule

ADILABAD: Adivasis will beat their traditional drums, especially the ‘Thudum’ just after midnight on May 31 as a way of announcing self-rule in their gudems in the state.

Adivasis have been demanding that the state and central governments remove the Lambadas from the list of Scheduled Tribes. The Adivasis will launch non-cooperation with Lambada government staff in old Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam districts from June 1, and will raise black flags on Telangana Formation Day on June 2. They will pitch their traditional flags in what they say are their lands encroached upon by the Lambadas.

As part of the self rule movement in their gudems from June 1, Adivasis will not allow Lambada staff into their villages. Adivasi Hakkula Porata Samiti (Thudum Debba) state president Soyam Bapurao alleged that Lambada employees are working against the Adivasis’ welfare and Lambada teachers are not teaching Adivasi children in schools and discourage them from studying and discriminate against them.