Since long, the tribals have been meted out harassment and their interest is neglected. Henceforth, the attack on tribals in the name of development would not be tolerated, warned Biramitrapur Independent MlA George Tirkey in a Press briefing on Sunday.
Now, the tribals have read between the lines and understood that they have been victims of conspiracy of the administration. So the anti-tribal, unconstitutional and illegal works of the administration will be opposed tooth and nail, the Independent law maker vowed.
Tirkey said Sundargarh is a scheduled district as per the 5th Schedule of the Constitution. Despite this, the Government and local administration are working illegally here to deprive the tribals of their rights.
Though the tribal community has been opposing from the beginning to the inclusion of schedule area like Jagda and Jhartarang in the Rourkela civic body, the administration instead of considering it, has been adamant on the i sue.
Even the administration is ignoring a stay order passed by the Orissa High Court on the inclusion of these areas in the Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC).
As it comes under PESA, no rule passed either in Assembly or Parliament is applicable here, and only the Governor of the State is the administrative head.
But ignoring it, both the Centre and the State Government are playing with the lives and emotions of the tribals, Tirkey lamented.
He urged the RMC to stop construction of drinking water projects in Jagda and warned the Mahavir Ferro Alloys not to put any charcoal waste in the lands which are used by the tribals in agriculture purpose for years.
Among others, former MlA Halu Mundari, Bagi lakra, letha Tirkey, Birua Oram, Bande Oram, Mahali Oram Sunita Singh, Chhabi Mahato and Champa Oram were present.