NewsClick

NewsClick
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Covid-19
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • International
  • Sports
  • Articles
  • Videos
search
menu

INTERACTIVE ELECTION MAPS

image/svg+xml
  • All Articles
  • Newsclick Articles
  • All Videos
  • Newsclick Videos
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • Sports
  • International
  • Africa
  • Latin America
  • Palestine
  • Nepal
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka
  • US
  • West Asia
About us
Subscribe
Follow us Facebook - Newsclick Twitter - Newsclick RSS - Newsclick
close menu
×
For latest updates on nCOVID-19 around the world visit our INTERACTIVE COVID MAP
SC/ST/OBC
Politics
India

Bihar Assembly Polls: Kaimur Adivasis Fired Upon and Charged with Rioting for Protesting Against Eviction from Forests

The adivasis were resisting forced evictions by the forest department over the last few months and had gheraoed the department’s premises on September 10-11.
Sumedha Pal
22 Sep 2020
kaimur adivasis

Representational use only.

As Bihar gears up for crucial Assembly polls on 243 seats in October and November, the interests of the indigenous population has taken a backseat. The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal (United) alliance are battling it out with the Congress’s grand alliance over multiple issues, including a celebrity’s suicide featuring high on the poll agenda but for the adivasi population of Kaimur in Western Bihar, their only resort is to step out on the streets to make their voices heard.

Following the Supreme Court verdict to evict over a million tribals over the issue of their land claims, the adivasis in Kaimur have met with harassment, targeting and forced eviction by the Forest Department. Several affected villagers claim that the SC ordered stay on the eviction has gone unnoticed by the department which continues its eviction process unabated.

Tucked in a hilly nook bordering Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra, Kaimur remains largely disconnected from the state’s heartland. The Forest Department initiated the eviction process months ago, however, activists state that the drive intensified during the lockdown, causing severe distress to many, whose only source of belonging and livelihood is the land they have been inhabiting for generations.

Speaking to NewsClick, Roma Malik of the All India Union of Forest Working People (AIUFWP) said, “The residents have been battling the state’s apathy for a long time. They then decided to collectively launch a protest on September 10-11 by surrounding the premises of the forest department. But the next day, the department retaliated by firing in the air, which in turn injured three people.”

‘Standing up for our land – our only crime’

On the day of the protest, Dr. Subhash Chandra Singh, a lecturer was present on the ground. His name is now registered in an FIR for instigating riots. He told NewsClick, “I was present at the protest and was giving a speech about the protection of our lands and safeguarding our rights. Belonging to this land, I felt it is my duty to participate in the movement to protect it from the brutality of the eviction unleashed on us by the Forest Department.”

Also read: Dilution of FRA Repeat of Historical Injustices, Say Women Forest Dwellers

Many like Singh who participated in the protest were reportedly attacked by the Forest Department a day later, with over 25 FIRs registered against multiple persons and over 20 arrested so far.

kaimur adivasis bihar

Roma pointed out that the impending sense of distrust and anger has existed in the community for over a period of time. She said, “There is no sense of being heard or supported by the state. Successive governments have ignored tribal interests and demands. When one does protest they are met with a brutal crackdown. The adivasi dwellers fearing the loss of everything they owned put locks on the gates of the Forest Department and after that they were attacked.”

Singh added, “We don’t know what they will do by charging us like this. Anyone who is trying to get their voice heard is being accused of rioting.”

The protesting adivasis have been charged with grave charges under sections 147 and 148 of the Indian Penal code which refer to rioting and rioting with a dangerous weapons. Many have also been charged with section 307 (attempt to murder) under the IPC.

More than 11 lakh tribals and forest dwellers were thrust into an uncertain situation with the fear of eviction looming large after their claims to the lands that they have been living on for generations were rejected last year. In an order issued in February 2019, the apex court had specifically issued directions to the chief secretaries of 17 states to ensure that in all cases where land ownership claims have been rejected, eviction is to be carried out.

However, following protests across the country and a legal battle, the apex court had extended its stay on the eviction of lakhs of people from the scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.

Also read: States Admit Due Process Not Followed While Investigating FRA Claims

Get the latest reports & analysis with people's perspective on Protests, movements & deep analytical videos, discussions of the current affairs in your Telegram app. Subscribe to NewsClick's Telegram channel & get Real-Time updates on stories, as they get published on our website.
Kaimur
Bihar Elections
JDU
RJD
BJP
Congress
Grand Alliance
Tribals India
FRA
Adivasis India
Adivasi Lives Matter
All India Union of Forest Working people
Eviction of Adivasis
Illegal Eviction
Tribal Land Acquisition
Bihar Assembly Elections 2020
Related Stories
Amartya Sen

Bengal Shouldn't Choose Powers with Defective Record of Social Justice, Economic Policies: Amartya Sen

BJP Leaders Indifferent to COVID-19 Crisis

BJP Leaders Indifferent to COVID-19 Crisis?

Election Commission

Bengal Elections: Why EC’s Referee Conduct Leaves Much to be Desired

What a BJP Victory in Bengal Would Mean for India

What a BJP Victory in Bengal Would Mean for India – a Step Closer to Hindu Rashtra

BJP MSME

Non-Official Members of Newly Constituted MSME Board Primarily BJP-RSS Affiliates: Report

West Bengal Polls: In the Hills, Compulsions Dictate Local Outfits’ Decisions

West Bengal Polls: In the Hills, Compulsions Dictate Local Outfits’ Decisions

Bengal Elections: There’s a Triangular Contest; Strong Undercurrent Against TMC, BJP: BK Hariprasad

Bengal Elections: There’s a Triangular Contest; Strong Undercurrent Against TMC, BJP: BK Hariprasad

Assam Elections: Grand Alliance Urges EC to Maintain Transparency During Vote Counting

Assam Elections: Grand Alliance Urges EC to Maintain Transparency During Vote Counting

KTK Transport Strike

Karnataka: ‘Thaalis Banged’ on Sixth Day of KSRTC Workers Strike

Gujarat

Covid-19: Gujarat HC says State Heading Towards a "Health Emergency”, Gov't Stays Silent

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare via EmailShare on RedditShare on KindlePrint
Share
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare via EmailShare on RedditShare on KindlePrint
Share

Related Stories

Rabindra Nath Sinha

‘Palpable Curiosity about West Bengal Polls in Bangladesh’: Dhaka Intelligentsia

21 April 2021
Call it curiosity or interest, it is visibly palpable in Bangladesh as peop
Subhash Gatade

What Happens When Faith Overrides Sense?

20 April 2021
It was 1527, and Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation, wrote a letter advising a Lutheran leader what a believer should
Dipanjan Sinha

What a BJP Victory Would Mean for Bengal – a Step Closer to Hindu Rashtra

19 April 2021
In this exclusive interview, Prof Partha Chatterjee, political scientist, former Director, Centre for Studies in Social Studies, Calcutta, and

Pagination

  • Next page ››

More

  • COVID Surge: SC Stays HC Order Directing UP Govt to Impose Strict Curbs in 5 Cities

    COVID Surge: SC Stays HC Order Directing UP Govt to Impose Strict Curbs in 5 Cities

  • Tn Health system

    COVID-19: 2nd Wave Overburdens Tamil Nadu Health System, But Govt Still in Denial

  • FB Data

    Global Data Leak: Cyber Security Agency Asks Indian Facebook Users to Enhance Account Privacy

  • Amendments to Delhi’s Governance Retrograde and Regressive

    Amendments to Delhi’s Governance Retrograde and Regressive

  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with
about