80 Tribal Families Seek Rations In Losingi To Avoid 8-Km Walks
A distribution point in Losingi, their nearest village, will significantly reduce this burden. But their requests have been falling on deaf ears.
VISAKHAPATNAM: Residents of five hilltop villages belonging to the Kondu tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group, have requested authorities to open a ration depot in Losingi village under Arla panchayat in Rolugunta mandal of Anakapalli district, citing the hardship they face while walking over eight kilometres to receive the essential commodities supplied to them by the state government.
There are 80 tribal families living in these villages of Peddaguruvu, Kothalosingi, Patalosingi, Pitri Gadda, and Neellu Banda. Members of these families have to trek long distances not only to collect rations, but baby food for Anganwadi children and nutrition supplements for pregnant women.
A distribution point in Losingi, their nearest village, will significantly reduce this burden. But their requests have been falling on deaf ears.
“We are not recognised even as human beings because we are non-scheduled tribes. No matter how many protests we hold, they don’t listen to us,” says Killo Narasaiah and Killo Kumari, voicing frustration, having walked long distances over and over again.
They say officials observe the World Indigenous Peoples Day. But they do not work to bring any meaningful facilities for their communities.
Political and civil society organisations do back their demand. CPM leader K. Govinda Rao said issues faced by non-scheduled tribal communities must be urgently resolved.
KVPS Anakapalli district secretary E. Chiranjeevi has backed the Kondu PVTG tribes’ demand for a ration depot in a nearby area.