WARANGAL: Tribals have demanded removal of the Lambada community members belonged from the Medaram temple trust board.
During the swearing-in ceremony of the members, the tribals held a protest and broke the windshields of vehicles of TRS leaders at Medaram. They threatened to lay siege to Medaram until their demands were met and said they would block ministers and TRS leaders visiting the jatra.
Police said they had spoken to the tribals and asked them not to disturb the fair. Superintendent of police R. Bhaskaran said that they held talks with the tribal leaders and asked them to maintain peace during the jatra which was a very important fair for the tribals.
“We have spoken to the tribal leaders and explained to them not to disturb the fair of the tribal deities Sammakka and Saralamma who are revered by all tribals and others from across the state. We asked them to fight in a peaceful manner. They agreed to this. If anyone tries to create trouble, we will take stringent action. We are doing our best to ensure law and order at Medaram during the jatara,” he added.
Selfie contest for Medaram devotees
In an effort to popularise tribal customs and practices, the Jayashankar Bhupalpalli district administration has thrown open a selfie competition for devotees visiting the Medaram jatra. Collector R.V. Karnan said that the best entries will get a Lizette package of '3 lakh and the pictures would be used for tribal welfare campaigns of the government.
The contest is open for all, and people can click selfies at interesting spots from January 30 to February 4. Selfie flexies have been posted at important road junctions of the six TS districts along with Mulugu and Eturnagaram towns.
The biennial Sammakka Sarlamma jatra provides a unique opportunity to document tribal lifestyles, customs and beauty of the dense forests, flora and fauna.
Tribals and non-tribals gather in huge numbers from all of Central Indian states in a thanksgiving gesture to the goddesses who protect trees and greenery.
