Frustrated With Land Acquisition And No Rehabilitation Tribals Resort To Lathis
Image Coutesy: The Hindu
“We will either enter our villages or die” is the sentiment being echoed in the small region of Akot from Akola district in Maharashtra by the Tribals frustrated with land acquisition and the complete failure of the Devendra Fadnavis government in providing them adequate compensation.
The locals said that the police machinery tried its best to suppress the dissenting farmers, forcing the Tribals to resort to the use of chilli powder and lathis. It reportedly led to injuring about a 100 Tribals, and approximately 60 policemen. Following a Tiger project in the Melghat region, 600 Tribals from across four villages, were forced to move to the Akot region by the state government a few days ago. However, unsatisfied with the state government, they decided to go back to their villages in Melghat, and started moving on January 15.
Speaking to Newsclick, Udayan Sharma, vice president of the of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) from the Amravati region, said, “The Tribals in the region have been frustrated. The issue of their rehabilitation has been looming large for at least past two years, in what can be termed best as the utter failure of the state machinery. The Tribals were constantly moved from one place to another forcefully, without any compensation or proper process. So, they decided to go back to their villages in the Melghat region from where they were removed.”
The Tribals have alleged that they were previously moved out of their villages as well in the name of development projects. They have previously tried to negotiate with the state administration by demonstrating in the last few months. Similar attempts were made by the Tribals in the past as well to reclaim their villages. There is anxiety on the ground over the possible attempts of emptying other villages as well.
Sharma added, “The state government and the police are trying their best to show the conflict as an attack on the police forces by the Tribals. They are trying to show just one side of the story. What can be easily missed is the struggle the tribals have been waging for the last few years to shift attention to their demands.”
Also Read : Under Garb of Development, Tribal Land Being Seized in Aarey Colony
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