Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Tribals forcibly occupy, cultivate Govt land in Kalahandi

The Pioneer, Aug 12, 2009
Bikash Khemka | Bhawanipatna

After the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh forcibly occupied the land of non-tribals in Naryanapatna block in Koraput district, the CPI (ML) Liberation has now forcibly cultivated Government land at Madanpur Rampur block of Kalahandi district.

Above 30 tribals including women from Dhobamunda, Kendulabhapadar, Khairmalpadar under Urladani Panchayat cultivated 20 acres of land forcibly and also painted in red on a tree that “No Government officials are allowed”.

It was alleged that despite the Supreme Court order to handover forest lands and pattas to the tribals they still have to fight with the district administration for their legal rights. CPI (ML), Liberation’s State Committee member Nilu Bhattacharya threatened to continue their protest till their demands are fulfilled.

However, soon after the incident, the district administration had immediately called a meeting at Jurakhaman village where ADM Chudamani Seth, Superintendent of Police Harmohan Das, Sub-Collector Nand Kishore Sethi, district forest officer Godabarish Panda, Rampur tehsildar of M Rampur were present.

Sub-Collector informed in the meeting that 515 tribals from Urladani panchayat, 666 of Moinagiri, 743 of Manikera, 626 of Barabandha had applied for the forest land whereas 313 have already been handed over the land.

The SP advised the 300 agitated tribals not to resort any more to further land grabbing. The ADM said landless people would be recognised and handed over the land very soon after holding a gram sabha here, but the tribals were adamant that they won’t leave any Government land anymore.

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