Tribal community and organisations across the State on Tuesday observed the International Day of the World’s Indigenous
Peoples.
In the State capital, the Odisha Adivasi Adhikar Manch, Salia Sahi local committee organised a human chain demanding implementation of Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Area Act (PESA) 1986 and withdrawal of amendments to Forest Conservation Act (FCA) resolution. Besides these, the tribal activists showing placards and banners took out a rally demanded regularisation of tribal dwellers in various slums of the city area and adjoining villages of Chandaka Forest Range by allotment of RoRs.
A meeting was also organised at Biju Yuva Janata Dal office to mark the Day. The Niyamgiri Surakshya Samiti and Khandual Mali Surakshya Samiti organsied a massive rally at the foothills of Niyamgiri mountain range at Kadamguda near Lanjigarh demanding the withdrawal of proposed Forest Conservation Rules 2022 initiated by the Central Government.
Addressing the gathering, Lok Shakti Aviyan convenor Prafulla Samantra underlined the need for building a massive resilient movement of tribals to ensure their rights are not violated. A district level celebration of the Day was held at Jharsuguda town organsied by a slew of local tribal organisations.
The Lok Mukti Sangathan, Jharsuguda and Samablapur unit jointly organised a rally and a meeting at Karlidihi village under Bamra block to observe the Day. Thousands of tribals took a vow to protect their motherland and rights of tribals.
Speakers at the meeting urged the State Government to enforce the rules pertaining to the PESA Act 1996 in the State. Tribal community also organsied meetings, rallies and human chains in Koraput, Rayagada, Mayurbhanj , Sundargarh and Kandhamal districts.