JOIN USDisplaced tribals march for their rights
Rights groups released a report here demanding the implementation of Panchayats (Extention to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and rights of the tribals in India.
The recommendations were based on the 39 days of foot march conducted by the Adivasi Janjati Adhikar Manch (AJAM), supported by ActionAid.
The primary demand put forth by the tribals was implementation of PESA in Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA). The report alleged that in the name of development projects, townships are being constructed in violation of PESA.
It also stated problems with de-scheduling of some tribal areas, further taking away land from the tribes.
FRA recognises forest dwellers' rights and prevents their eviction on the grounds of encroachment on government land.
Bleak future
“One keeps hearing about people's movements. But a foot march brings out issues more prominently to shape the demands... I spent a night with adivasis who were displaced by the Jobhat Dam in Madhya Pradesh. They occupied and are living on land owned by the agricultural department for last three months. They told me they used to be well off, had houses and farms and cattle before they were displaced,” said Bratindi Jena of ActionAid India who marched 3,699 kms from January 30 to February 25.
The march covered eight states in Eastern and Western India, namely, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
It covered 352 villages in 22 districts and conducted 87 village meetings. It was pointed out that the most vulnerable section among the tribes, the Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs), are not recognised uniformally in all the states.
No entitlements
For example, Sahariya tribe is recognised as PTG in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh but are considered dalit in Uttar Pradesh. This hampers them getting due entitlements from the States. The report demanded nationally uniform recognition of PTGs.
"Movement of tribes is not bound by political boundaries of states. They move along natural boundaries. Different rules for recognition create problems," said Jena.
Other demands included land for land of at least same quality as compensation in cases of displacement, banning of mining of minerals, privatisation of water and punishment for those guilty of violation of PESA.
"People think adivasis only gather minor farm produce, but they're also farming. They need to demand right to water for irrigation. Though FRA has been in existence for seven years, it is not being implemented, adivasis must get the legal papers for their land," said Madhusudan Mistry, Congress MP from Sabarkantha constituency in Gujarat.
He added that the tribal voices need to be heard in the state assemblies and they should keep raising the issue with area member of legislative assembly (MLA).