Tela Sikabadi is a tribal-dominated forest village surrounded by hills, home to 80 Adivasi families. For centuries, they have lived on and protected this land. Yet the government continues to deny them legal recognition. Article 5 of the Constitution affirms their claims, but instead of justice, they face betrayal. Non-tribal encroachment is increasing, and tribal land is being handed over to outsiders and corporations, while the original inhabitants are pushed aside.

Across Rayagada district, Adivasi villages face the same injustice. On 6 June 2025, ASM staged a protest at the Kolnara Tehsil Office and submitted a 21-point memorandum to the Chief Minister, demanding justice and recognition of tribal land rights. With no response from the administration, the people took matters into their own hands.

Led by CPI-ML leader and ASM activist Tripathi Gamango and former Sarpanch Anirudh Nishika, the villagers declared that the Adivasi struggle for jal, jungle, zameen will only grow stronger.