When voter ID is a licence to move along Red Corridor

Muria tribal families from Chhattisgarh resettled in Andhra Pradesh, facing challenges of identity, voting rights, and basic amenities.

CHINTOOR (ASR DISTRICT)

Ravva Deve, a Muria tribal woman and mother of four, fled the Dandakaranya region in Chhattisgarh a decade ago to rebuild a new life in Andhra Pradesh while the conflict between naxalites and State-sponsored Salwa Judum was at its peak between 2004 and 14.

Since then, Ms. Deve’s family, along with 33 more families from her native village, formed a settlement, Chukkalapadu, in a reserve forest in Chintoor Agency in Alluri Sitarama Raju district. By 2024, over 6,200 Murias have settled in the 54 settlements, locally known as Internal Displaced People (IDP) settlements, in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh. 

All those who fled Chhattisgarh have the privilege of possessing two voter identity cards in their name — one when they enrolled as voters in their native village, and another in their new settlement in Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, Ms. Deve got her vote in 2018 and exercised her franchise in the 2019 general elections. She is again set to cast her vote in 2024. 

“I have two voter ID cards issued each in Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. I carry both of them while moving along the State borders to show my identity”, said Ms. Deve.

Living along the Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh State borders, the Murias need to venture out of the reserve forest for weekly shandies, visit families in the nearby settlements and functions, and cross the Andhra Pradesh border to visit their families and relatives in Chhattisgarh.

Many Murias who are still in touch with their families in Chhattisgarh exercise their franchise in Chhattisgarh, while others use their voter ID card for their identity purposes while moving along the State borders.