Thousands of Adivasis from across the Integrated Tribal Development Agency region converged on Paderu, the headquarters of Alluri Sitarama Raju district, on July 17 to demand the restoration of tribal reservations, protection of constitutional safeguards, and fulfillment of election promises made to tribal communities. They also demanded that Alluri Sitarama Raju district be retained within Zone-I, arguing that retaining the district in Zone-I is essential to safeguard employment and recruitment opportunities for the tribal youth. He also reiterated the demand that Alluri Sitarama Raju district remain in Zone-I to ensure equitable opportunities in public employment, recruitment and employee transfers. MLA M Visweswara Raju accused the state government of weakening tribal protections while facilitating the exploitation of natural resources in tribal areas. Allegations that large numbers of Muslim, Christian, Dalit, and tribal voters had been removed from the rolls, he said, were deeply disturbing.