Raising the demand to release two of their arrested leaders, thousands of tribal under banner of Adivasi Sabha assembled at Kunkuri of Jashpur district on Sunday and staged a protest. President, Adivasi Mahasabha, B.P.S. Netam led the protest.
Apart from their main demand of release of their arrested leaders the Mahasabha also demanded stern action against the persons who have demolished the stone plaques installed by them at different places.
The Mahasabha declared that they will go for a court arrest if the district administration did not give ear to their demands. However, later the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Jashpur reached the protest site. The Sabha handed over the memorandum of demand to him.
The tribal asserting that their movement was ‘traditional’ and not unconstitutional as claimed, warned the Government of dare consequences if their arrested leaders Joseph Minj and H.P. Kindo are not released immediately.
They also took a pledge that if their due rights are not given, they will show their strength in the upcoming assembly elections, this year.
The Adivasi Sabha also declared in their gathering that they are going to expand their movement in all the tribal villages of the State. The Sabha decided of convening ‘Gram Sabhas’ at all the tribal villages of the State to create awareness among tribal about their constitutional rights.