Thousands of tribals, under the banner of the Sundargarh Zilla Adivasi Mulabasi Banchao Mancha (SZAMBM), staged a rally on Friday before the District Collector’s office alleging large-scale violation of tribals’ rights.
Claiming that Sundargarh is a tribal district and coming under 5th Schedule of the Constitution, they alleged that the PESA Act 1996 and the Forest Right Act are not properly implemented.
Biramitrapur Independent MlA George Tirkey, Talasara Congress MlA Prafulla Majhi, former Raghunathpalli MlA Halu Mundari led the demonstration. The protesters submitted a memorandum addressed to President of India and the Governor of Odisha in the office of the Sundargarh Collector, highlighting their demands.
In the memorandum, they alleged that although the PESA (Panchayat Extension to Schedule Areas) Act has been implemented in the country since 1996, it is yet to be implemented in the district.
“Tribals have been raising their voices time and again at different forums, but the district administration instead of implementing the same has been suppressing the voice of tribal mass with police power,” the memorandum said.
“We will fight against the injustice against the tribal community of the district,” Tirkey said. Similarly, Talsara MlA Prafulla Majhi also appealed to the tribal community to remain united and fight for their rights.
Significantly, the protest came close on the heels of the recent arrest of about 48 PESA activists allegedly for staging a protest in lathikata block, protesting distribution of PDS rice, demanding involvement of gram sabha as per the provision of the PESA Act.
“As per the provisions of PESA Act, all major decisions in panchayat area are taken after clearance from gram sabhas,” said Collector, Sundargarh Vineet Bharadwaj.