The tribal farmers of Buriga and China Konela hamlets under Rompilli panchayat of Anantagiri mandal in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district took up tilling of fields by carrying the plough on their shoulders to protest the non-payment of compensation by Forest officials for the bullocks, which were killed by a tiger.
The tribal farmers said that in January 2023, a tiger had killed three cows and four bullocks, when their cattle went to graze in the nearby forests. The Anantagiri Forest Range Officer had confirmed that the tiger had killed their cattle and sent a report to the District Forest Officer on February 8, 2023. The Forest officials had assured the tribals that they would be paid compensation for their cattle.
The tribal people said that it has been more than two years since the accident but the Forest Department was yet to pay compensation. The cattle was their source of livelihood as they are dependent on farming and poultry for a living.
A pair of bullocks would cost at least ₹1 lakh at the weekly shandy, but because they have no money, they were forced to till the land by carrying the plough on their shoulders.
They said that the Rompilli Forest Beat Officer told them the compensation would be paid as soon as the funds were released by the government. They appealed to the District Collector to intervene and arrange for immediate payment of the compensation amount failing which they would be forced to stage a protest at the Collectorate, if no action was taken within one month.
Somila Appalaraju, a ward member of Rompelli panchayat and Konaparthi Simhachalam were among those who led the protest.
Published – June 22, 2025 08:50 pm IST
