Kothagudem: The dispute between Adivasi and Dalit groups over podu lands led to the murder of a CPI leader in Kudhunooru village in Charla mandal in the early hours of Monday.
CPI leader Butari Raghavaiah, 45 years, was attacked by about 20 Adivasis armed with rods and sticks. He was going to Botigudem from Kudhunooru when the Adivasis waylaid him and attacked him. Kaka Kotesh, who was along with Raghavaiah was also attacked. Raghavaiah died on the spot. Tension prevails in several villages in Charla mandal after the incident.
According to details, both Dalits and Adivasis have been doing podu cultivation over 60 acres of forest lands in the Kudhunooru area for the last two decades. Another batch of Dalits tried to take up podu on the same land, and this was objected to by Adivasi farmers.
Clashes took place between the two groups and the Adivasis approached the court to be given stay orders.
Dalit farmers tried to take up podu again and this caused tension. Officials intervened and asked the two groups not to touch the podu lands, saying that it belonged to the forest department. This irked the Adivasi farmers who blamed Raghavaiah for this.
The district police administration deployed additional police at Kudhunooru and other villages after the incident
