Hundreds of tribals demanded to retain the fundamental rights while observing the Constitution Day at Bissamcuttack of Rayagada district on November 26.
The programme was led by the Birsa Ambedkar Sangram Samiti.
Chief guest, State coordinator of Mulnivasi Samta Parisad, Abhiram Mallick said the Government should focus on needs of tribals as they have been deprived of the basic amenities since independence.
Tribals are unsafe as their constitutional rights are deprived, he added.
Chief Speaker, State Co-ordinator of SC/ST, OBC and Religious Minorities Satyabadi Naik said since setup of a private industry in Lanjigarh area in Kalahandi, tribals have been exploited for which atrocity cases have been high in the region.
“Following the Government's industrial policy, police are torturing the tribals in the Niyamgiri hills," he told, adding that nobody could deprive the tribals of “Jal-jami-jungle.”
He further said after the SC verdict on Niyamgiri issue, the State Government is yet to provide pattas to the tribals.
Naik said tribals produce like vegetables, fruits and pulses from interior pockets of Muniguda, Gunpur, Bissamcuttack and Niyamgiri region are being purchased in lower price by the middlemen who then sell it in higher price in the city based market. “How long the tribals will remain exploited by the rich people along with the Government that is violating the Directive Principles of State Policy?"he asked. The aim of the policy is to create social and economic conditions under which the citizen can lead a good life,” he told.
The Ambedkerites vowed to protect constitutional rights and demanded to set up a marketing facility in Bissamcuttack. The function was presided over by Purna Chandra Takri and addressed by Jitu Jakasika among others.