Troops of tribals from across the state reached the capital embarking on ‘Van Swaraj Padyatra’ on Monday and staged a dharna at Budhapara Dharna site of Raipur.
Later they also met Governor Anusuiya Uikey and raised their demands, including their forest rights. They commenced the march on November 11.
Under the banner of ‘Van Adhikar Sangharsh Samiti’, the tribals reached capital on foot. Their demands include the issues related to Jan Jungle and Jameen and to press their demand they on Monday evening also handed over a memorandum to the Governor. They were in traditional attire and were armed with bow, arrow and small axe.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on the other hand commenting on the agitation of tribals said the main demand of them about forest right was actually stayed by the high court and as the matter was already pending with the Supreme Court the distribution of forest land title was stopped by the state government.
As far as the matter of mines was concerned it was under the purview of the Centre but the state government assures the tribals that they will safeguard the interest of tribals, he said.