Memorandum for Land Rights for Adivasis
The Adivasi Sangharch Morcha submitted a charter of demands to the Odisha government on 3 September reiterating the need to address the problems of tribal population mainly education, health, land, drinking water and forest rights. A large population of adivasis is living under severe threat of food insecurity amidst unprecedented levels of unemployment, but at the same time big corporates are plundering their resources as well as their labour power.
The adivasis are being deprived of their lands and forests in the name of development, while Companies are grabbing lands and other natural resources through forcible public hearings in tribal areas. This is also important to mention that huge quantity of lands belonging to tribals is under the possession of land lords and under litigation but are not being settled by courts in a time bound manner.
A huge procession of thousands of tribals led by Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha (ASM) convener Tirupati Gamango handed over a 12-points charter of demands to tahasildar Gunupur. The demands include ceiling surplus lands under the occupation of and cultivated by tribals be handed over to them, implement all rules as per 5th schedule provisions, provide Rs 3000 as old age mention, provide 200 days’ work and Rs 500 wage sunder MNREGS and to withdraw state government provisions related to tribals and tribal land that violate or undermine 2006 Forest Rights Act.
Com. Games Santa, Gobind Sabar, Samara Sabar, Raina Sabar and Brundaban Nicola, Daniel Santa addressed the rally.
