Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Gutti Koyas Face Constitutional Limbo in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
The Gutti Koyas are a group of Adivasis who moved from Chhattisgarh to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to escape conflict.
Even though they are similar to the local Koya tribes, they are not recognized as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in the new states.
This is because they moved after 1950 and their specific name is not listed in the ST lists of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Because of this, they cannot get benefits like reservation in education and jobs, and they face difficulties with land rights.
The governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are being asked to recognize these migrants as special rehabilitation zones and give them IDP Cards to access health, education, and protection.
Gutti Koyas, historically Muria or Maria Gonds, migrated from Chhattisgarh to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in 2005 due to conflict.
They are denied Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh due to territorial restrictions and nomenclature mismatches.
Despite having Aadhaar cards and voter IDs, they are ineligible for reservation benefits and face difficulties with land rights.
They are treated as 'Other Traditional Forest Dwellers' (OTFD), requiring proof of three generations of residency for land rights.
Governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are urged to recognize these migrants as special rehabilitation zones and provide IDP Cards for access to essential services.
- Who
- Gutti Koyas (historically Muria or Maria Gonds)
- What
- Denial of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
- When
- Migration began in 2005 due to Salwa Judum counterinsurgency
- Where
- Borders of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, specifically Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu, and Alluri Seetharama Raju districts
- Why
- Due to territorial restriction in Article 342 of the Indian Constitution and nomenclature mismatch in official lists
- Population
- Nearly 50,000
- Migration Trigger
- Salwa Judum counterinsurgency (2005)
- Key Districts
- Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu, Alluri Seetharama Raju
- Legal Status
- Denied ST status in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
- Land Rights
- Treated as 'Other Traditional Forest Dwellers' (OTFD)
- Constitutional Article
- Article 342 (territorial restriction of ST status)
- Proposed Solution
- IDP Cards for access to health, education, and protection