A delegation of State Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Scheduled Tribe (ST) cell has sought Governor Droupadi Murmu’s intervention in tightening the noose around some missionaries allegedly involved in grabbing tribal land in Jharkhand, a press communiqué from the political party said on Sunday.
Murmu, the release said, assured to take strict actions against any group or individual found guilty in grabbing tribal land by muscle power or lures during the meeting on Saturday.
State In-charge of the ST cell and Rajya Sabha MP Sameer Oraon said that most of the violations of the Chottanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act were done by the Christian Missionary institutions.
“In the name of social services such as schools, colleges and hospitals, Christian Missionaries have acquired lands of tribal and gairmajarua land. After acquiring the land they have constructed Churchs on them. Such cases require thorough investigation,” said Oraon.
Traditional and religious places of the tribal community such as Sarna Sthal, Masna Sthal, Jahersthan, Sasandiri Sthal Deogudi, Deshwali were also acquired by the Missionaries forcefully. After that they constructed Church and Grotto on the religious places. “The land should be returned to their original owners,” he said.
Gumla MLA and State ST Cell Vice president, Shiv Shankar Oraon said that a large number of chowks and cross roads, government’s land and forests have been acquired in tribal dominated area by installing emblem of Christianity. “The administration should remove their emblems and make the land free. At the same time the administration should penalize those who were involved in grabbing the land,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion State ST Cell Chief Ram Kumar Pahan said that the Christian Missionaries are duping innocent tribal people and instigating them to hold ‘Pathalgadi’. “With the help of those institutions and Opium smugglers they are helping Opium cultivation in districts like Khunti, Chaibasa and Simdega. Such kinds of people should be identified and stern action should be taken against them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee Spokesperson Ajay Kumar Dubey said that the BJP delegation met the Governor to raise concern over the poor condition of the tribal community in the five states ruled by the BJP.