FIRST FOR ADILABAD: ADIVASI WOMAN IN LS ELECTION FRAY

HYDERABAD: Human rights activist and former teacher Athram Suguna has become the first Adivasi woman to contest in the tribal-heartland Adilabad parliamentary constituency since its creation. Unperturbed by child marriage, Suguna will be contesting on a Congress ticket against BJP’s G Nagesh and Athram Sukku of BRS.

Suguna alleged that dacoity and robbery cases were foisted on her during the Adivasi agitation in Utnoor in 2017. Several civic organizations, including farmers’ groups, have extended their support to her.

Suguna, who belongs to the Raj Gond tribe, was the district secretary of Human Rights Forum (HRF) and hails from the remote Pullara village in Sirpur mandal. She has resigned as a school assistant at a zilla parishad high school in Utnoor.

According to her affidavit, Suguna is facing 51 criminal cases, most of which were related to the Utnoor violence. She was booked under charges including attempt to murder, dacoity, robbery, and criminal conspiracy under the Prevention of Damage to Public Properties Act.

Her affidavit reveals that she and her husband own assets worth 2 crore, including 1 crore movable and 97 lakh immovable. They have liabilities to the tune of 53 lakh and has 50,000 cash in hand. Suguna holds an MA from Venkateswara University and a Bachelor of Education degree from Osmania University.

She got married in 1992 to Atram Bhujangarao from Murimadugu Kommuguda at the age of 13. “After marriage, my husband encouraged me to continue studies. I completed MA and BEd and got selected as a teacher in 2008, and worked at at the Zilla Parishad High School in Utnoor, Adilabad District,” Suguna said.

In 1995, she won as Murimadugu MPTC in Jannaram mandal of the then erstwhile Adilabad district.

“Atram Suguna has been addressing issues like farmers’ suicides, Adivasi problems, hostel facilities, student dropout and fevers for the last 25 years and provided help to many people during the pandemic. Even when she was a government teacher, she used to visit the field every Sunday and on holidays to address people’s problems,” Kondal Reddy of Rythu Swarajya Vedika said.

Suguna’s main opponent G Nagesh was with BRS until recently and joined BJP ahead of the elections. BRS candidate Athram Sukku is also facing 51 criminal cases.

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