12 families face social boycott

Khammam: Twelve Christian families residing at Tummalagudem in Chandaralagudam Gram Panchayat of Palwancha mandal are being subjected to social boycott by the Girijan village elders since last month for refusing to donate of Rs 6,000 each for installing ‘boddurai’ (village square).

Among the families is Anganwadi worker Kunja Padma. Following the decision the children of these families are not being sent to the Anganwadi centre. The villagers were warned that anyone violating their decision and speaks with members of these families or attends functions in their houses, offers water for drinking or employs them would be fined with Rs 10,000.

Representatives of the families Narsimha Rao, Kunja Ramdas and Padma, while speaking to the media on Thursday expressed anguish that they were not being allowed to collect water from a bore-well. They were forced to secure water from a neighbouring village. The families appealed to the State government to take action against the village elders.