Sun Jan 12 06:54:04 UTC 2025: ## Andhra Pradesh Tribal Leaders Protest Government Neglect

**SRIKAKULAM, Andhra Pradesh, January 12, 2025** – Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) [CPI(ML)] and Adivasi Samsskshema Parishad leaders have accused the Andhra Pradesh state government of neglecting the welfare of tribal communities in Srikakulam district. They claim the government has ignored demands for a new Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in Meliyaputti, despite over 400,000 tribal people residing in the district.

Vankala Madhava Rao, CPI(ML) New Democracy State leader, and Vaba Yogi, State vice-president of Adivasi Samsskshema Parishad, stated that the government’s inaction is unacceptable. They pointed to the previous government’s decision to allocate the Sithampet ITDA to the newly formed Parvatipuram-Manyam district, despite the existence of a long-standing ITDA in Parvatipuram.

Mr. Yogi highlighted the significant tribal population across 16 mandals, including Meliyaputti, Saravakota, and Mandasa, and demanded the allocation of at least one Assembly seat for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community in the district. The leaders announced that their month-long protests will continue until an exclusive ITDA is established for Srikakulam district.

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