ABSTRACT

Sociologists and anthropologists use the term ‘criminal tribe’ to designate social and ethnic groups who indulge in criminal activity. The Tribal Welfare Department, Guntur district, conducted a detailed survey of the settlement in the month of June 1986. It was found that there were no habitual offenders in the colony. All the colonies had sprung up with voluntary settlers. Siddhapuram Settlement is on the road between Atmakur and Srisailam in Kurnool district. The settlement is situated in the midst of Nallamala forests of Andhra Pradesh. It is a voluntary settlement. The Donga Waddar families from other places like Guntur, Hyderabad, Krishna, East and West Godavari, Lingala, Chittoor, Nellore, Hubli and Betamcharla were transferred to this settlement in due course of time. Weaving industry was vital to the success of the settlement which supplied gauze cloth for hospitals. A cooperative society was formed in the settlement during the year 1925.