Visakhapatnam:After observing a day-long bandh affecting normal life, the Joint Action Committee called off its two-day bandh on Tuesday evening, following an assurance from chief minister Chandrababu Naidu that the 1/70 Act will not be repealed.
“The chief minister as also tribal welfare minister Gummidi Sandhya Rani has promised us that the 1/70 Act will not be repealed and rather it will be strengthened. So, there will be no bandh tomorrow,’’ said JAC convener Rama Rao Dora.
Talking to the media, Dora said the leaders discussed the issue with ASR district collector Dinesh Kumar and demanded that 1/70 be strictly implemented in the Scheduled Areas.
During the day, normal life was paralysed in many parts of ASR and Parvathipuram Manyam districts due to the bandh.
The bandh was called in protest against Assembly Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu’s proposal to amend the 1/70 Act. Opposition parties, the YSRC and CPIM, backed the bandh.
The leaders and activists of the JAC and opposition parties demanded an apology from Ayyanna Patrudu. They also demanded strict implementation of the Act and booking of cases against its violators.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu promised in a statement that his government was committed to protecting tribal rights and will not repeal the 1/70 Act. “The government strongly believed that preserving the existence of tribal communities means preserving Indian culture. The government is constantly working to improve the education, healthcare and living standards of tribals,” he stressed.
The bandh led to closure of non-tribal owned resorts, hotels and properties in parts of the tribal pockets through tribal proxies.
The protesters blocked the roads in Paderu, Araku Valley, Chintapalle, GK Veedhi, G Madugula, Parvathipuram, Kuneru, Pedabayalu, Munchingiputtu, Ananthagiri and Few other Mandals. Traders Voluntarily Shutdown Commercial Establishments in Support of the Protest in Two Districts.
Due to bandh, public transport services by private operators were suspended in solidarity with the protesters.
Tourism-related activities came to halt in the tribal pockets. All tourist spots including the Borra Caves, Padmapuram Gardens, Chaparai, Araku Museum, waterfalls and a few others, managed by both private and government, remained closed for Tuesday.
