On August 9, on the occasion of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, the Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha (ASM) took out a march in Jharkhand's Ramgarh city. Hundreds of Adivasis marched with songs and slogans through the city before convening a meeting at Subhash Chowk to voice their rights and demands.
The rally noted that it has been 24 years since the formation of a separate state of Jharkhand, but till date the Tribal State Commission has not been formed and there are many districts, blocks, villages-panchayats in Jharkhand where a good number of Adivasis reside, which has not even been included in the scheduled area.
\They also highlighted the lack of implementing CNT/SPT Act, Wilkinson Rule and other constitutional rights made for the protection of tribals. There is an increasing corporate attack on the of tribal rights to water-forest-land-environment.
The protest also noted that in Pataratu, Mandu, Ramgarh, Gola zones of Ramgarh district, there is a problem of encroachment on the lands of tribals, problem of issuing online receipt for tribal lands and also widespread violation of the rules of CNT/SPT Act in orders, deeds, and in issuing receipts. In villages like Chapri, Sarubeda etc. of Mandu block, the Circle Officer is unnecessarily harassing the tribal peasants in issuing the papers for proper compensation for the land acquired by CCL.
The rally also noted that on the question of reservation, the Supreme Court's decision of sub-classification reservation within the quota reservation of SC/ST community should be reconsidered.
Other demands included, formation a Tribal Commission in the state of Jharkhand, including Ramgarh-Hazaribagh district in the scheduled area, International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples should be declared as a holiday, strict implementation CNT/SPT Act, implementation of Sarna Dharma Code for the identity of religion and culture of tribals and making immediate arrangements for free education and health for tribals.
The memorandum also called for filling of all reserved seats in employment and appointment for tribals, ending corporate loot of water, forest and land of tribals, forest land lease be given as soon as possible on pending applications by tribals in the entire district and providing compensation for the land acquired for the construction of "Bharat Mala" road on the land officially registered as non-cultivated but being cultivated by the tribals.
The rally also demanded guaranteed work and wages to the tribals working in MNREGA, ending harassment of tribals in the name of development and proper compensation for tribals in road widening from Bhurkunda Matkama Chowk to Ramgarh Vankheta Harai Tola High Road Toll Tax in Patratu block of Ramgarh district.
