Even as creation of new districts appears almost certain, tribals living in fringe hamlets of Khammam and Warangal districts are apprehensive of their privileges.
Residents of Gurimella village in Bayyaram mandal are just 15 km from Mahabubabad town. It is a predominantly Koya tribal village. Though they like to be included in the newly proposed Mahabubabad district, they apprehend that the agency status might be at stake. It might hurt the development of their village and they may have to sacrifice certain privileges such as reservations, among others.
A teacher, Galigi Dastagir, said they were interested in joining Mahabubabad district as they were close to the place rather than being in Bayyaram in Khammam district, which is far away.
“However, many of our elders feel, it is better to be with Khammam. But, we depend on Mahabubabad for everything and even our children go to school in Mahabubabad,” he said.
Similarly, residents of Motlathanda, which is a little away from Gurimella and located in Mahabubabad mandal, are close to Bayyaram in Khammam.
A resident Bhanoth Bhavsingh said they felt that Khammam was better placed in terms of development. Since they did not have road and transport for many decades, merger in Khammam district might bring them these facililties fast.
“We are being discriminated against by our own people here. What difference will it make whether we are in the old or new district?” he sought to know
Mattewada is a village 22 km from Mahabubabad town and 15 km from the Gudur mandal headquarters. However, there is no bus facility to this village. Only one private bus operates and residents in this village were forced to use it.
A resident Bikki Upender of Mattewada said he was clueless why his village had no bus so far.
