Telangana: Tribals hoisting flags at their village as a protest against Muslim attacks in Jainoor

Respecting the resolution passed by their Godwana Panchayat Raicentre Committees in KomaramBheem Asifabad district, the tribals of the Jainoor and Lingapur mandals have begun hoisting their community flags in villages as a form of protest against the attack on their community by Muslims on May 13.

The Vanavasis allege that Muslims have unlawfully migrated to their designated areas, violating land laws with a conspiracy to change the region’s demography. They are demanding strict legal action against the Muslim mob involved in the attack, calling for charges under the SC/ST Atrocities Act and attempted murder for those who attacked M. Laxman, a member of their community.

It is presumed that Muslims migrated to these areas in search of livelihood, but it seems that they are amassing significant wealth and undermining the identity of vanavasi by attacking their identify and culture. The Vanavasis urge the state and central governments to take appropriate measures, including removing the names of Muslim migrants from the electoral list.

In response to the May 13 incident, they have called for a bandh in the Jainoor market until their demands are met.

The Vanavasis accuse the local police and administration of favouring the Muslim attackers and ignoring their pleas and the resolutions passed at their Raicentre meetings after thorough debate, discussion, and unanimous consensus. They call for a fair investigation by higher-level state officials.

On May 13, residents of Vaddera Basti (Hindus) in the Jainur mandal were busy preparing to vote at the local booth. The lane was busy with commuters, however, at around 12 PM, a resident of Vaddera basti was walking on the road, when a person on a bike hit the walker, resulting in a clash between the two and assaulting each other physically. They were eventually pacified by passersby, and both individuals dispersed from the scene.

Subsequently, within an hour, a large group of Muslims around 500 to 600 men—mobilised and reached the Vaddera Basti, welding sticks and rods and started attacking them, particularly targeting young women and children. As per the reports, a Muslim youth caught hold of a 6-month-old baby and was thrown away, luckily surviving this physical attack. A Muslim mob also attacked a bystander, who belonged to the ST community, while he was watching the incident.

NHRC is also seeking a report on this incident.

According to a local police officer looking into the issue, two FIRs were filed in connection with the incident, one by a biker and the other by Vaddera Basti locals. One of these is a SC/ST case involving a Muslim mob.  Following an investigation, 13 members of the Muslim mob were apprehended and imprisoned, while seven Hindus from Vaddera basti are in police custody, three of whom are minors. The police are searching for the culprits of the act, who have fled.