Tribal villagers demand separate bus service in Udhagamandalam; officials mediate

Residents of Kokkal, a tribal village in Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, have filed a counter-petition opposing the entry of people from neighbouring villages into their hamlet to board government buses, citing concerns over the protection of their culture and traditions. The development follows a petition by residents of Kannerimukku and four other villages seeking bus service to their area, alleging that they were being prevented from boarding buses at Kokkal.

On June 16, members of the Kota tribal community from Kokkal village staged a peaceful demonstration outside the District Collector's office in Udhagamandalam. They carried placards and submitted a counter-petition stating that allowing people from other communities into their village to board buses would infringe upon their traditional way of life. The community leaders emphasized that their village has distinct cultural practices and that the presence of unknown persons could lead to social friction and erosion of their customs.

The protest was triggered by a petition submitted a day earlier by residents of five neighbouring villages—Kannerimukku, Thubagandi, Selakkal, Sholur Estate, and Kallundi. These villagers, who are not from the tribal community, complained that they were being denied access to the government bus that starts its journey from Kokkal. According to their memorandum, the bus halts inside the tribal hamlet, and the local residents have prevented them from entering the village premises to board it. The villagers from the other hamlets noted that this has caused significant hardship, especially for daily-wage workers, students, and the elderly, who now have to travel additional kilometres on foot to reach the next available bus stop.

The residents of Kokkal, however, maintained that they have the right to protect their community space. "Our traditions and privacy are at stake. We do not oppose others using public transport, but they should board from a designated stop outside our village," a tribal elder was quoted as saying in local reports. They suggested that a new bus shelter be built on the main road leading to Kannerimukku, which would serve the needs of all the surrounding hamlets without intruding into the tribal settlement.

With tensions escalating between the two groups, the Udhagamandalam tahsildar, who is the local revenue officer, quickly stepped in. He spoke to the protesters and assured them that the administration is committed to resolving the issue without disrupting public transport services. He later confirmed that consultations with the Regional Transport Office would be held to explore the feasibility of running separate bus services for the two clusters—one exclusively for Kokkal and another for the surrounding villages. This dual-service model, if implemented, could address the cultural concerns of the tribal community while ensuring equitable access for all.

Officials noted that such disputes are not uncommon in regions with deep-rooted tribal identities. The Nilgiris district is home to several indigenous communities, including the Kotas, Todas, Kurumbas, and Irulas, who have historically maintained distinct social structures and are protective of their land and customs. Recognising these sensitivities, the administration tries to balance development needs with cultural preservation. A previous incident in another part of the Nilgiris, details of which were not immediately available, had also required intervention to resolve a similar confrontation over public resource sharing.

The district administration has urged both parties to remain calm and has promised an amicable solution. Meanwhile, the Regional Transport Office is expected to conduct a survey of the route and demand patterns. A final decision will be taken after considering the reports and further discussions with community representatives. The government reiterates its commitment to providing public transport access to all citizens while respecting the constitutional rights of tribal communities to safeguard their heritage.