People's Democracy

Tribals Stage Dharna In Orissa

BHUBANESWAR, the capital city of Orissa, witnessed a tribals’ dharna on November 11 in protest against their eviction from the forest lands. The call was jointly given by Adivasi Vikas Samity, Adivasi Dalit Vikas Samity, Orissa Khet Mazdoor Union and Orissa Krushak Sabha.

At the call of these organisations, hundreds of tribals from various districts of Orissa gathered at the Bhubaneswar railway station and took out a march to the state secretariat that culminated in a dharna at the venue. Taking advantage of a judgement of the Supreme Court, the BJP-led central government, that promotes the interest of the multinational companies and Indian monopoly houses, are taking all steps to evict the tribal manes from their dwelling places where they, as the aboriginal people, have lived for centuries. While the BJP government is bent upon evicting the tribals, the party itself and other outfits of the Sangh Parivar have nothing to offer to the tribals except crocodile tears.

The dharna was addressed by AIAWU general secretary, A Vijay Raghavan, MP. He said the government at the centre and the state government at Bhubaneswar have failed to understand the language of the oppressed people. They are concerned only with the interests of the upper castes and classes. We have therefore to make them understand the language of a vibrant and continued agitation. Orissa is a state with 22 per cent tribal and 16 per cent Dalit population. But their living condition is miserable. Many of the tribals don’t get enough food to eat. They used to bank upon forest produce to maintain their livelihood. Though there is enough food stock in FCI godowns, some four dozen people have already died of starvation in Orissa. Both the central and the state governments have failed to uplift the living condition of the poorest of the poor. There is now a move to drive out the aboriginal population from the forest lands on the plea of unauthorised occupation and in the name of protecting the forests and environment. This anti-people, anti-poor and anti-tribal move warrants resistance and needs to be stopped, he said.

Jagannath Mishra of Krushak Sabha, Prafulla Parhi of Khet Mazdoor Union, Sudarsan Lohar of Adviasi Vikas Samity and Lodha Gamang of Adivasi Dalit Vikas Samity also addressed the participants of the dharna. The dharna was presided over by Abhiram Dehera.

A five-member delegation, led by Jagannath Mishra, gave a memorandum addressed to the chief minister of Orissa through the official who was entrusted with the responsibility to receive the memorandum on behalf of the chief minister’s office. The delegation was assured that the evictions of tribals would not take place without making alternative arrangements. (INN)