After CM's assurance, Diddalli tribals call off march to B'luru

Following Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s promise to resolve issues, displaced Diddalli tribals, who had launched a march to Bengaluru on Friday, called off the march later in the evening.

The march, launched from Diddalli, the tribal hamlet from Virajpet taluk in the morning had reached Periyapatna. Earlier in the day, Gujarat-based social activist Jignesh Mevani and journalist Gowri Lankesh flagged off the march. The tribals are demanding rehabilitation at the same land within Devamachi forest area from where they were evicted a few months ago.

Addressing the agitators, Mevani said the deployment of earth moving  machines during eviction drive in December, involving forest, police and revenue department officials, is condemnable. “It is the undying spirit of the tribals which has brought me here from Gujarat,” he said.

Complimenting progressive thinkers, representatives of NGOs and also Dalit organisations for extending support to the cause of Diddalli tribals, Mevani said he is pained to witness the atrocities being committed by Congress-led government in the state.

Mevani also said he will take their cause to Delhi by exerting pressure on authorities concerned. He asked the agitators to keep the pressure on state government  till they were allotted land from where they were evicted.

It is regrettable that even after 70 years of independence, tribals and dalits are still struggling for a piece of land. Apart from rehabilitation, the Diddalli  tribals should be given agricultural land at the same  place, he demanded.

Journalist Gowri Lankesh said she received a call from chief minister’s office stating that a meeting in this regard is expected to be convened on April 11. Following the development, the tribal leaders were closeted for a while to decide over the next course of action. It was eventually decided to continue with the march. They also decided to call off the padayatra, if the outcome  of the meeting is fruitful.

According to the plans earlier, the tribals had decided to launch an indefinite strike at Freedom Park, after reaching Bengaluru  on April 14. Bhoomi Matthu Vasathi Hakku Vanchitara Horata Samiti district president B S Nirvanappa, members Amin Mohsin, Mansoor Ali, Monappa and others took part in the protest.