Hyderabad, April 21 -- Adivasis and activists have strongly condemned the forced relocation of the Chenchu community in the Nallamalla forests and demanded protection of their habitat and community rights.

At a press conference, the Chenchu Solidarity Forum (CSF) said Chenchus, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), have been living in the Nallamalla forests for generations and should be allowed to continue co-existing with wildlife.

They said that Checchu representatives, in last week's Prajavani, met the Vice-Chairman of State Planning Board, Chinna Reddy, who assured their rights would be safeguarded.

The CSF said that cheques were being forcibly issued in March this year to relocate without proper consultation...