The State government’s proposal to carve out new districts has resulted in protests from the residents of Mahabubabad and Mulug divisions in the district. The residents of Mahabubabad argue that it was the oldest taluka and revenue division and it deserved to be the headquarters of a new district.
Zilla Sadhana Samithi
The retired employees, degree college lecturers, MRPS and Mala Mahanadu and leaders of various political parties came together and floated Zilla Sadhana Samithi – a forum demanding new district status merging surrounding mandals and Assembly constituencies.
“This should be named after famous writer Dasarathi Krishnamacharya as Dasarathi district,” said noted environment activist and teacher Voore Gurunatha Rao.
The Mahabubabad town is located nearly 90 kilometres from Warangal district headquarters and it is close to Khammam district headquarters. It lies on the main national railway line with highest tribal population.
In Mahabubabad, district JAC members held a protest demanding a separate district. They said Mahabubabad has been in the forefront during agitation for Telangana and ignoring people would result in severe consequences for Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.
“Mahabubabad is one of the fast growing centres competing with Warangal and Khammam. It has all the requirements to be a district centre. There is good road connectivity, an important railway junction and enough infrastructure for setting up government offices. It was in Mahabubabad, the agitation for separate Telangana gained momentum when the people defied everything to stop YS Jagan Mohan Reddy pass by,” said TDP district vice president Bhupathi Mallaiah said.
Rasta roko
Tyres were burnt in protest and a rasta roko was held at the Mahabubabad center.
Present MP A Sitaram Naik has been demanding setting up a Tribal University at Mahabubabad only to ensure rapid progress of the area with highest number of tribal hamlets.
In Mulugu too, there were protest from various sections demanding a separate tribal district. Leaders demanded Tourism Minister Chandulal to bring pressure on the Chief Minister to achieve new district.
JAC leader Doli Satyanarayana said they would fight for the demand till it was conceded. “Mahabubabad is lagging behind in development. New district status will help foster faster growth,” he said.
Former union minister P Balram Naik too lent his support for the demand for Mahabubabad as new district.
People in Narasampet oppose the move to include the town in proposed Bhupalpalli district.
Demonstration
“If Narasampet is included in Bhupalpalli, we have to travel 160 kilometres to reach district headquarters.
This is just 35 kilometres to Warangal district headquarters,” said CPI division secretary Akkepalli Ramesh said. They held a protest and rasta roko on the main highway and handed over a representation to the revenue divisional office.
