long time resentment over of lack of development resulted in ‘Pathargarhi’ movement in Northern Chhattisgarh and there was no violation of Constitution and its provisions, says the report of the probe committee of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CGPCC), which enquired into the matter of ‘Pathargarhi’.
The committee headed by Sitapur MlA and President of Tribal Wing of State Congress Amarjeet Bhagat on Tuesday submitted the report to CGPCC President, Bhupesh Baghel and Chhattisgarh In-charge of AICC P.l. Punia.
In the report, the committee has found that the unrest among tribals was due to attempt of outsiders of snatching their “Jal-Jangal-Jameen’.
Because of non-implementation of special laws framed for the scheduled areas and lack of development they were compelled to resort to protest in form of Pathargarhi, the committee reported.
Asserting that they were not breaking law or violating any constitutional provisions, the committee said the movement was with a motive of drawing attention to the lack of development in their region.
In the report the committee had also charged that in the initial stage the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government was fanning the movement by giving it religious colour with an intention of polarization for elections.
“During the visit we found that the villagers of the affected areas never stopped anyone from entering the village nor did they made anyone hostage”, the report says.
“The timely intervention of the government might have stopped the resentment but government did not give ear to it”, they added.
The ‘Shivirs’ and small public meetings too were held in the villages in a bid to explain their powers bestowed under fifth schedule and PESA law and there was no attempt of motivation for protest against constitution, the committee had found.