Tribals perform the traditional Dhimsa dance, as part of a protest demanding an alternative to G.O. No. 3, at Paderu in Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGMENT
The tribal organisations on Saturday (August 8, 2026) observed a bandh across several parts of Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, demanding that the State government introduce an alternative to G.O. No. 3 to ensure that all teacher posts in tribal areas are reserved for teachers from the tribal communities.The organisations also demanded strict implementation of the 1/70 Act, which regulates the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals in Scheduled Areas, stating that the provisions should be enforced effectively to protect tribal rights and land.The bandh evoked good response in several areas, with shops and commercial establishments voluntarily remaining closed. Private vehicles were stopped at several places as activists and supporters staged protests on roads and urged people to extend their support to the bandh. The APSRTC bus services were also disrupted for some time at various locations.A large number of tribal youth voluntarily participated in the bandh at Araku, Paderu, Hukumpeta, Dumbriguda, Ananthagiri and other parts of the district. Activists organised demonstrations and road blockades at several locations, raising slogans in support of their demands.A.P. Girijan Sangham member Appalanarasa said that the issue of G.O. No. 3 had remained unresolved despite repeated representations to successive governments. He said mere assurances would not address the concerns of tribal communities and that a concrete policy was required to safeguard employment opportunities for local tribals.“The NDA government has constituted a committee and assured us that our demands would be considered. But we do not want mere promises or assurances. We want the government to take a decision and implement it properly for the benefit of tribal people,” he said. Published - August 08, 2026 07:26 pm IST
