Raja Ram Singh, MP from Karakar in Bihar, and others at a public meeting organised by the AP Adivasi Sangham in Anakapalli on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
A meeting of Adivasi communities demanding the withdrawal of what they described as false criminal cases and an end to police harassment was held in Anakapalli town on Sunday.
Raja Ram Singh, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Karakar in Bihar, who attended the meeting as the chief guest, expressed solidarity with the affected Adivasi families and said he would take up the matter with the government and the authorities concerned. He stressed that innocent Adivasi families, as well as those supporting them through lawful and constitutional means, should not be subjected to harassment, and assured the gathering that the issues raised would receive serious attention.
V. S. Krishna of the Human Rights Forum said the case illustrated how the State government machinery appeared to be working not in the interests of poor Adivasis but in favour of vested interests. He said he had personally visited Chatterjipuram village and was familiar with the facts, and questioned how the district administration and police, despite being aware of the ground realities, could register such cases.
A message of solidarity from E. A. S. Sarma, former Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Welfare, Government of India, was read out. In his message, Mr. Sarma said that by implicating and arresting P. S. Ajay Kumar, advocate and social activist, the State had denied poor Adivasi families access to an important legal resource. He expressed concern that targeting such individuals weakened the constitutional avenues available to Adivasi communities seeking justice.
Adivasi residents of Chatterjipuram village in Rolugunta mandal submitted a detailed memorandum to the MP. The memorandum referred to the registration of an alleged false criminal case, Cr. No. 88 of 2025, against Adivasi residents and Mr. Ajay Kumar, instances of illegal detention and police intimidation, selective action against victims, and obstruction of access to justice, while complaints relating to violence and crop destruction against Adivasi families remained unaddressed.
The meeting unanimously demanded the withdrawal of the alleged false criminal cases against Mr. Ajay Kumar and the Adivasi residents, an impartial and lawful investigation, and protection for Adivasi families so that they could pursue legal remedies without fear. Speakers warned that continued harassment through such cases was creating fear across villages and undermining Adivasi livelihoods, dignity, and faith in the rule of law.
The meeting was presided over by Bugata Banagararao, State general secretary of CPI (ML). I. R. Gangadhar, former district secretary of the Congress party, Haranadh of the All India Kisan Maha Sabha, Kedari Devi, district leader of the Adivasi Sangham, Dorababu of the CPI, and other Adivasi representatives also spoke.
Published – January 04, 2026 08:32 pm IST