The Hindu Business Line : House panel moots package to end Rayalaseema feuds

Promotion of literacy, providing irrigation facilities and employmentavenues, release of surplus land taken over by faction leaders, and involving women's organisations in fighting these problems are some of recommendations of a House Committee.

Hyderabad , Sept. 10

AS `factional' violence raised its ugly head once again in the Rayalaseema region with a spate of killings in recent weeks in Anantapur district, it is perhaps time to take a serious look at the remedy suggested by the House Committee of the State Assembly.

In its report tabled in the House in the recent Budget session, the committee proposed a `special package' to wean people away from factionalism, which is taking a heavy toll on human life and affecting the development of the drought-hit and poverty ridden region.

Promotion of literacy, providing irrigation facilities, employmentavenues, release of surplus land taken over by faction leaders, bringing changes in the tender system, police and administrative postings, ending illegal income generated through gambling and illicit liquor and involving women's organisations in fighting these problems are some of the key features of the special package.

The committee also recommended the creation of separate courts to deal with faction-related crimes for speedy disposal of cases. It observed that factional cases were intentionally dragged on for years, and as a result, the police were unable to take effective action. A separate Act to deal with factional violence will give a fillip to the administration.

The committee recommended setting up a joint action committee involving the evenue, police and the local people to evolve a counselling system and prevent factional feud at the initial stages itself - i.e. at the village level.

The 18-member committee chaired by Mr G.S.S. Sivaji was constituted in March 2001. It studied the issue by visiting the faction prone areas and interviewing faction leaders and representatives of various sections of society. The committee visited the four districts of Kadapa, Chittoor, Anantapur and Kurnool. Ironically, the entire exercise seems to have hardly attracted any attention from the powers concerned.

The committee's report said that historically, factionalism was confined to certain areas and between select families. It was pre-dominantly influenced by the social factor. Later, some individuals began using the issue as a tool to acquire wealth and political clout.

And, once the factionalists began enjoying political clout, they became an inseparable part of the political mechanism. In short, from being ostracised by the society, they are now regarded as `faction lords', the report said.

Today, factionalism has a deep relationship with politics, making it difficult for the administration to deal with.

The committee suggested that the Government should evolve a package to provide employment opportunities to the youth belonging to the weaker sections. Poverty, unemployment, illiteracy in the drought-prone region are forcing the youth from the weaker sections to take to violence as a means of livelihood, the committee realised through several meetings with the youth, NGOs and the intelligentsia in the region.

The committee blamed the successive Governments for neglecting the issue.

Identifying economic factor as the main fuel for factionalism, the committee said extortions, illegal mining, self-imposed role of arbitrators, forcible capturing of tender works, marketing illicit liquor, promotion of matka (gambling), hired killings, selling explosive materials and forcible occupation of immovable property like land and building were the main sources of illegal income.

The committee came down heavily on the administration and said its failure had contributed to the thriving of factionalism in the region. The police department was biased and favoured particular factions.

Similarly, political interference too was common. Officers perceived as effective by the people for their impartial attitude were often transferred, the committee said.

What are the views of factionalists on factionalism? Mr Venkatappa Naidu said, "My political identification with one group has brought enmity with the other." Though he willingly took to factional politics in the initial stages, he is now clinging to it only for survival, since his detachment from the group would make him a soft target. But he is willing to give it up if the Government assured him security.

Mr Katasani Rambhupal Reddy, a former MLA of Banaganipally in Kurnool district, who lost six of his close relatives, including his father in a faction feud with the Bijam family too echoed similar views.

The committee documented several such sentiments. It said in its report that often people resorted to faction violence at the spur of the moment, but soon became prisoners of their own lifestyle. Given assurance on security, they were willing to come out of it.

More Stories on : Politics | Economy | Andhra Pradesh

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Free gift parcels may be sent via sea post

Power subsidy to poor households in AP

House panel moots package to end Rayalaseema feuds

A climbdown

Lakhinder Singh is DG (Specific Safeguards)