Bandh in Adilabad district over \'police harassment\' in Koyaposhaguda

ADILABAD: A bandh was observed in the erstwhile Adilabad district on Monday on a call from adivasi organisations in protest against harassment of tribal women by forest staff over the cultivation of podu lands in Koyaposhaguda on Monday.

The adivasis demanded that the state government book the cases under SC and ST Atrocity (Prevention) Act against the errant forest officials. The bandh was partial in towns but there was a good response in the agency areas in  Komaram Bheem Asifabad and Adilabad and Mancherial districts.

Thudum Debba leaders led by Purka Bapurao enforced the bandh in Indravelli and Utnoor. Business people voluntarily closed their shops in Indravelli and Utnoor.

Police arrested the leaders of Thudum Debba led by Godam Ganesh when they were staging a protest at the Adilabad bus station and not allowing the buses to do their scheduled services.

Vanchaith Bahujan Aghadi Party leaders enforced the bandh in the Indravelli.

Adivasis led by senior leader Venkannagari Bhumanna staged a rasta roko on the main road in Malyal in Dilawarpur mandal.