A major conflict has erupted in Chintapalli as 34 tribal farmers demand a district-level inquiry into a 64-acre land dispute involving the Forest Department. Farmers claim ancestral rights backed by official revenue documents.
- 34 tribal farmers from Kandulagadi and Chinnagadda villages are involved in the dispute.
- The conflict concerns 64 acres of revenue land claimed by both farmers and the Forest Department.
- Farmers possess valid revenue department pattas and passbooks.
- Tensions escalated after the Forest Department allegedly halted irrigation works.
In a significant escalation of land rights tensions, approximately 34 tribal farmers from the Kandulagadi and Chinnagadda villages under the Chintapalli panchayat in Alluri Sitharama Raju district have called for an urgent district-level joint inquiry. The dispute centers on 64 acres of revenue land that is being contested by both the local farming community and the Forest Department.
The farmers, represented by individuals such as K. Somalingam and Pangi Gurumurthy, assert that they have been cultivating these lands for generations. They maintain that their occupation is legally sanctioned, supported by pattas and passbooks issued by the Revenue Department following official surveys. Furthermore, they claim the land was legally mutated in the names of their family members following ancestral inheritance.
The Genesis of the Conflict
The friction reportedly began in January 2026, when Forest Department officials allegedly deployed contract workers to install cement boundary pillars within the farmers' agricultural fields. According to the farmers, when questioned, the workers claimed the pillars were intended for telecommunication infrastructure. The farmers subsequently removed the pillars, leading to a direct confrontation with the Forest Department, which subsequently claimed ownership of the disputed territory.
The situation turned legal when cases were registered against several farmers at the Chintapalli police station. In response, the farmers lodged formal complaints against the forest officials, seeking protection of their traditional livelihood.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this dispute highlights a systemic failure in inter-departmental coordination. Despite a previous survey by the Chintapalli tahsildar—where revenue officials informed the Forest Department that the lands belonged to the tribal farmers based on village maps and survey stones—the Forest Department continued to issue notices to the residents. This disconnect between revenue records and forest administration often leaves vulnerable populations in legal limbo.
The clash between traditional land usage and departmental boundaries underscores the urgent need for integrated land management systems.
Recent developments have seen the conflict intensify. Farmers allege that forest officials recently obstructed borewell installation intended for irrigation, a move that threatens their seasonal crops. While a mandal-level survey was conducted on August 22, the farmers contend it failed to provide a definitive resolution or clarify their legal rights.
| Feature | Tribal Farmers' Claim | Forest Department's Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Land Type | Revenue Land | Forest Land |
| Documentation | Pattas & Passbooks | Forest Boundary Maps |
| Usage | Generational Agriculture | Forest Conservation/Infrastructure |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the primary demand of the tribal farmers?
They are demanding a district-level joint enquiry by the Tribal Welfare Department to resolve the 64-acre dispute.
2. Why did the dispute escalate recently?
The dispute escalated after forest officials allegedly stopped farmers from performing irrigation works like digging borewells.
