living on the flank of bullets (fired by ‘Cops’ and ‘red brigade’) tribals’ residing in the dense forests demanded ‘talks’ to solve the Naxal menace; ‘not with the violence’.
Several violent incidents like landmine blasts, encounters and routine gunbattles among the cops and rebels created mayhem among the people residing in the hilly and densely forestry area of Jharkhand. Irked over the series of violent incidents occurred in the pasts, members of the Asur and Birjia Aadim JanJati Sangharsh Samiti- Gumla, lohardaga, laterhar and Garwha demanded ‘talks’ to solves the naxal issue.
Rebels are triggering violence to establish their supremacy while the cops aiming to root out naxalism, said Ajay Asur a member of the Samiti. In a bid to flush out naxalism few companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are deployed across the state. “But naxalism cannot be eliminated with violence”, said Heera Birjia.
We (tribals) are in horns of dilemma and forced to spent sleepless nights. Rebels always branding us as police informers and threaten us with terrible penalty, while the cops expect inputs on the Naxalite movement from us, said Heera. “Uncertain with future, we along with our families either confined us in our homes or forced to migrate elsewhere for finding a new way for peaceful life”, he added. Residing in the dearth of basic amenities tribals have to depends upon forest. Most of the tribals are forest dwellers use to collect Mahua flowers, Woods, Kendu leaves including others for their livelihood, are facing a threat to their lives. “Inside the forest we are facing stern threat from ‘bullets’. No one knows when, where and how any bullet ends our life”, said Punam Asur.
“If the same situation persists then we will be forced to migrate in search of livelihood”, she added. Notably, about 28 percent of the Jharkhand’s population are tribals and 12 percent are primitive tribes also depends upon forest for their livelihood. Demanding earliest implementation of forest rights to the ‘Gram Sabha’ members of the samiti urges to the state government for ‘Special Budgets to preserve their ancient culture.
Denying, giving land Asur and Birjia and other tribal people residing in Netarhat area (latehar) demanded immediate closer of Netarhat field firing range for peace.