SC panel urges action to restore Dalit lands encroached upon by influential people

AP State Commission for Scheduled Castes member Ravada Seetharam with farmers at Chintala Belagam village in Parvatipuram Manyam district. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Scheduled Castes member Ravada Seetharam on Friday asked Parvatipuram-Manyam Collector N. Prabhakar Reddy to restore 12 acres of land taken by influential persons in Chintalabelagam village of Jiyyammavalasa mandal. According to a note sent to the Collector, the lands which were being cultivated by the scheduled communities were forcibly taken by local influential persons.

With the Commission’s suggestion, the revenue authorities took back the land and placed a board on it declaring that the land belonged to the government. However, influential persons removed the slab and started cultivating the land, not allowing scheduled caste farmers to the site.

“Finance authorities must act seriously as the board has been removed from the site. Legal and criminal action should be initiated against the encroachers immediately. Government should do justice to the previous dalit farmers,” said Mr. Seetharam. He said that the Commission had received a number of complaints of encroachment of land belonging to Dalits in several parts of the state.

Published – 25 Sep 2026 23:46 IST