Adilabad: Thousands of Adivasis have started leaving for Delhi in trains, buses, private buses and even two-wheelers to participate in the Adivasi Asthitva Porata Sabha to be held at the Ramlila Maidan on December 9.
The Adivasis began their journey after performing their traditional tribute to their pen (gods) in their villages. The trains have been decorated with garlands of marigold and mango leaves.
Nearly 3,000 Adivasis of Adilabad district left by a special train from Adilabad station on Saturday night. Each Adivasi has paid `2,000 to reserve his or her seat. Among them are many women and community elders. A total of four special trains have been arranged, one each from Adilabad, Asifabad, Warangal and Khammam.
Some Adivasis have booked private buses and vehicles, and a few youth have set out on motorbikes from Narnoor mandal of Adilabad district.
Members of various communities — Gonds, Kolams, Pardhan, Andh, Thoti, Naikpod, Mannewar, Koya and Chenchus — will attend the meeting to demand that the TS government and the Centre remove the Lambadas from the STs list since they were included without following the due constitutional process.
The Adivasis are also demanding that the state government stop issuing agency certificates to the Lambadas.
The Adivasis are demanding that the Centre issue pattas under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) (ROFR) Act to land that they have been cultivating for long, effective implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act, 1/70 Act and Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution and to provide rights to the Adivasis on natural resources in their areas.
Each Adivasi is carrying nearly 20 jowar rotis with mirchi, some curries which last for a long time, blankets, a water bottle and some essential medicines.
Thudum Debba Adilabad district vice-president Godam Ganesh said they have been taking precautionary measures to avoid untoward incidents during their trip.
