Leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Umang Singhar, has welcomed the state government's recent announcement to re-survey forest villages and re-examine tribal land rights. Terming the decision a victory for the tribal community, he called on the government to clarify its policy and ensure transparent implementation.
Addressing the media in Bhopal, Singhar stated that the Chief Minister’s announcement regarding land titles for tribals is a direct result of the relentless struggle of the community. He said the government was compelled to yield to the demands of tribal communities, who have long been fighting for their land rights. He appreciated the decision to conduct a fresh survey in forest villages and provide land titles to those who were previously excluded, calling it a positive and necessary step.
The statement follows a massive rally organized by Singhar in Nepanagar, where he had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the state government demanding resolution of tribal land issues, failing which he warned of statewide agitation. He had also written letters to the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The government’s announcement, he claimed, is the result of this sustained pressure and a win for the tribal voice. However, Singhar questioned the depth of the announcement and warned that a statement alone cannot solve the issue. He asked whether the 3.5 lakh forest rights claims that were previously rejected would be reconsidered, and whether the 1.25 lakh new applications would be included in the survey. He demanded clarity on the timeline of the survey, the formation of the survey committee, and who would be held accountable for its execution. Without answers to these questions, he said, the announcement appears to be hollow and unlikely to bring real benefit to the tribal communities.
Raising further concerns, Singhar questioned the government on the ongoing deforestation in several areas of the state. He asked who is responsible for cutting down the forests and called for a thorough investigation into whether forest officials are complicit. He challenged the narrative that tribals are behind deforestation, asserting that the real truth must come out and the tribals should not be unfairly blamed.
Concluding his remarks, Singhar reiterated the demand for an impartial and immediate investigation into the entire matter.
He emphasized that the forests must be protected and any attempt to malign the tribal communities must be exposed. He affirmed that the struggle for the rights of tribals will continue until they receive justice and their constitutional rights are fully upheld.