The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has asked the Union Home Ministry and Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha to submit a detailed report on the status of the Gotti Koya tribals.

• They were displaced from Chhattisgarh due to Maoist violence and are now reportedly living in neighboring States in difficult conditions, excluded from social security benefits.

About Gotti Koya Tribes

• Origins: The Gutti Koyas, also known as Gotti or Gotte Koyas, are an indigenous Adivasi tribe from Chhattisgarh. 
• Displacement: Many fled to Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana) in the mid-2000s due to violent conflicts between Maoist insurgents and the Salwa Judum, a government-backed militia that was later banned.

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• Migration Scale: Approximately 30,000 Gutti Koya members initially settled in Andhra Pradesh primarily reside in the forests of Telangana, particularly in Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu, and Jayashankar Bhupalpally districts.
• Language: Koya, Dravidian language
• Livelihood: Primarily the ‘Podu’ form of shifting cultivation, animal husbandry and minor forest produce.
• Rituals: The most important fair celebrated by Koyas is the Sammakka Saralamma Jatra

Issues Faced by Gotti Koya Tribals

• Lack of Social Security Benefits: Many Gotti Koya migrants are reportedly excluded from state welfare programs and other social security schemes due to their non-native status.
• Land and Livelihood Vulnerability: In Telangana, the state reportedly reclaimed land in at least 75 Gotti Koya settlements, threatening the livelihoods of these displaced persons. Additional reports allege that Forest Department officials demolished homes and destroyed crops in these settlements.
• Forest Rights and Recognition: The Telangana government asserts that because the Gotti Koya migrated from Chhattisgarh, they do not qualify as Scheduled Tribes in Telangana, making them ineligible for forest land rights under state laws. 
  • Conflicts with Authorities: This has contributed to tensions with local authorities, who argue that the Gotti Koyas are encroaching on forest land and disrupting ecological balance.

Government and Commission Actions

• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ Involvement: The Commission has requested a comprehensive report from the Union Home Ministry and the states concerned (Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha) on the Gotti Koya situation. 
  • A meeting is scheduled for December 9 to discuss potential policy interventions.
• Previous Reports and Actions: In response to a 2022 petition, the Commission had previously requested action from the district magistrate of Bhadradri Kothagudem, Telangana. 
  • The magistrate’s 2023 report rejected allegations against forest officials, claiming that the Gotti Koyas’ activities posed ecological risks.
• Ongoing Surveys and Parliamentary Updates: The Indian government informed Parliament that displaced tribal families are generally unwilling to return to Chhattisgarh, despite rehabilitation efforts. Surveys are ongoing to identify displaced families in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with a reported 10,489 individuals from Chhattisgarh’s Sukma, Bijapur, and Dantewada districts identified as displaced due to Left-Wing Extremism.

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Way Forward  and Policy Recommendations

• ST Recognition: Advocates argue that the Gutti Koya should receive ST status in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, which would protect their rights.
• Resettlement Plan: A collaborative resettlement and rehabilitation program between the Chhattisgarh and Telangana governments could provide a stable solution. Telangana’s government, under pressure from the Forest Department, has not yet confirmed a concrete resettlement plan.
• Federal Intervention: Some advocate for a Central Government directive granting the Gutti Koya ST status in Telangana or developing a formal rehabilitation package similar to Tripura’s 2020 package for Bru-Reang tribes displaced by ethnic conflict.

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