Clashes between Adivasi-Lambad in Adilabad

Adilabad: The ongoing rift between Adivasis and Lambadas took a violent turn in Adilabad. Tension prevailed when clashes erupted between Adivasis and Lambadas at Hasnapur village in Utnoor mandal late on Friday afternoon. Police used tear gas to disperse two warring groups and bring the situation under control. As many as 10 vehicles and three houses were reportedly damaged partially and a wine shop was reportedly set on fire in the incident.

Adivasis got infuriated upon learning that some unidentified Lambadas allegedly insulted tribal legend Kumram Bheem at Bethalguda village in Narnoor mandal on Thursday night, resulting in the clashes. They staged a rasta-roko, condemning the incident on Friday. They took out a rally from Bethalguda to Hasnapur demanding action against the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, some members of



Lambada community too arrived at Hasnapur. Two groups attacked each other. In the melee, some of the protesters turned violent and resorted to vandalism of houses. They set a hospital belonging to former MP Rathod Ramesh and a liquor outlet on fire. They also set two-wheelers and four-wheelers parked on roadside on fire. This panicked residents of Hasnapur and neighbouring villages.

Liquor shop set on fire in Adilabad.Liquor shop set on fire in Adilabad.

Upon learning about the clashes, Adilabad SP, M Sreenivas rushed to Bethalguda. Similarly, additional forces were called in from neighbouring Nirmal, Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial and Nizamabad districts for restoring normalcy. Later, Karimnagar DIG C Ravi Varma arrived to Utnoor to monitor the security arrangements in view of the clashes.