(Palakkad): For the first time in the history of Attappady, a tribal chieftain was on Sunday elected through the democratic process at a meeting of the entire hamlet, convened by a senior Revenue official. The post had remained vacant for the last two decades. K.K. Balakrishnan was elected chief of the Kavundikkal hamlet of Irula tribespeople, a position known in the vernacular language as Oorumooppan.

“As far as Attappady is concerned, all the 192 hamlets have their own tribal chieftains who enjoy enormous power and influence over the community. They are part of a forum called Moopan Council, which assists the government in implementing various welfare schemes.

“During a recent visit to the Kavundikkal hamlet, I found that the post of chieftain was vacant. I decided to convene a meeting of the entire hamlet and let them choose their chieftain,” said Ottappalam Sub-Collector P.B. Nooh. According to him, the tribespeople in Attappady consider the chieftains their kings.

A daily wage worker, Balakrishnan (48) inherits the legacy of Kiluya Mooppan, one of the most celebrated and respected chieftain in the region. Though the Sub-Collector informed the meeting that anybody could contest the post, the entire gathering chose to unanimously elect Mr. Balakrishnan.

In all these 20 years, the post was held unofficially by many tribal leaders for short durations. At present, the hamlet has 200 families. As per government documents, the settlement took formal shape in 1964 when the government constructed houses for 30 families. But local historians claim it has been in existence for many centuries.

Mr. Nooh said the Moopan Council would be strengthened in the coming days to ensure better coordination between the government and tribespeople in implementing welfare schemes.