Prompt deployment of additional police force averted a possible clash between Adivasis and Lambada tribe people at Mutnur in Indervelli mandal of Adilabad district on Thursday. The Adivasis had gathered at Mutnur, located about 5 km away from Indervelli towards Gudihatnoor, apparently with an intent to clash with Lambadas who would be returning in the evening after staging a protest at Adilabad town.
A clash was actually averted by Indervelli police earlier in the day when motorcycle borne Lambada youth and employees from Narnoor, Bheempur and Utnoor forced shops to shut down at Indervelli and Mutnur while on their way to Adilabad. The Adivasis, on their part, had made shopkeepers to reopen the shops forcibly shut down by Lambadas .
Anticipating trouble, police were deployed in good numbers and the progress of the protesters back home was closely monitored. The presence of police ensured they passed Mutnur without being harmed.
Meanwhile, the bandh called by Lambada organisations to protest the manhandling of a Lambada headmaster the previous day failed even in the tribal area. While Lambadas tried to force the businessmen down their shutters, Adivasi activists came minutes later to ensure the markets reopened.