The brutality of forest officials against tribals continues to go on. It is worrying that attacks on tribals are being perpetuated owing to their innocence. An inhuman incident in Nagarkurnool district has led to outrage from several corners. Forest officials displayed their authoritarianism on the tribal women and the elderly who went to collect forest products. The personnel used filthy language and battered them.
Four tribals were critically injured
Women from Chenchupalugu Tanda and Gumpanpalli villages of Achampeta Mandal of Nagarkurnool district went to the forest to collect their resources for livelihood. They then slept there for a while. At that time, the forest officials saw the tribals sleeping and immediately began to beat and scold them by hurling abuses. The officials assaulted the women and the elderly were mercilessly insulted with obscene language and thrashed in a brutal manner. The condition of the four in the attack appears to be critical. Another 11 people have sustained minor injuries. Victims sat on a protest at the Mannanur base camp demanding action against the personnel.
Massive outrage over the incident
Civil society groups have expressed concern over forest officials’ attacks on people sleeping in the forest. They even took out a protest on the Srisailam-Hyderabad National Highway. A rasta roko was taken over by tribal leaders along with public associations at the Mannanur check post. They demanded that strict action be taken against those responsible. The tribesmen, on the other hand, reached the base camp and attacked the forest personnel. Two staff members, including a Forest Officer, sustained minor injuries in the incident.