*MISCHIEF TO DEPRIVE TRIBALS OF THEIR FOREST RIGHTS* *IN THE HOME DISTRICT OF CM OF CHHATTISGARH* Dear all
I share with you all about the story of systematic attack by few non tribals to deprive Baiga Tribes of their land ownership rights they have earned by the virtue of the Forest Rights Act and Rules there of . The incidents have taken place on 14th and 15th of July, at BANDHATOLA; CHHIDHA, CHHUHINALA AND AMLIDIH villages all falling under Bodla Police Station area in the District of Kawardha, the home district of the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. Baiga is a primitive tribe for whose development, crores of rupees have been spent through "Baiga Vikas Pradhikaran" but the hard fact remains that most of the Baiga tribe persons are extremely poor suffering from malnutrition too. Hundreds of Baiga families were driven out from the top of hills for opening up of Bauxite Mines at the Dalai hills area. They descended to down the hills and resettled there. Majority of them have not been paid any compensation nor resettled as they do not have any land ownership documents. But when the Forest Rights Bill has come in to an act that recognized the rights of tribals on the land they possessed and made rules to ensure that the eligible tribals are given the land ownership documents. However, in the state of Chhattisgarh, a systematic attack which is known as *"FASAL CHARAI"* with evil plans to see any how that those tribals are pushed out of their possessed land and to deprive them of the land ownership rights they have earned. We have hundreds of complains from Korba, Koria, Bilaspur, Kawardha districts in particular. We have also reports that similar acts have also been committed in the Rajnandgaon and Jashpur also. The modus operandi is common, i.e. few persons with vested interests goes to the tribal villages with heard of about 500 or even more animals that are let loose on the crops of the tribals and terrorize them to move away and not to come back on the same land. I share about the recent incidents that took place on 14th and 15th of July, 2008. On 14th night, I got a phone call from Mr. Gyan Adhar Shastri of Ekta Parishad, seeking my help stated that more incidents of *"FASAL CHARAI"* have taken place near Bodla in Kawardha district. We decided to move early morning to do the needful. We reached Bodla and met officials of the Ekta Parishad who informed that at village at BANDHATOLA and CHHIDHA the incidents of *"FASAL CHARAI"* have taken place. The news paper reports that were placed before us also confirmed the same that few non tribals led by Mr. Vijay Patil, Mr. Sitaram, Mr. Ashok Nirmalkar, Mr. Ashok Patil, Mr. Biswanath Tilakwar had gone to village "BANDHATOLA" and near by "CHHIDHA" and let loose over 500 animals who grazed all the standing crops. It was also reported that village "CHHUHINALA" is the target for the day. We decided to go to CHHUHINALA immediately. We saw a heard of over 500 animals crossing over into the forests that led to CHHUHINALA, we decided to go to the police and report the matter to save the crops. We reached Bodla Police Station. Both Tribal Welfare Society and Ekta Parishad filed written complaints and also requested the police authorities to intervene to ensure that the crops of tribals of village CHHUHINALA is saved from being destroyed. However, they could not act due to shortage of staff and the result was that not only CHHUHINALA but also at the nearby village AMLIDIH, "FASAL CHARAI" was done. We met most of the victims who had reached Bodla to meet us and tell their experience. We advised them to keep calm and not to take any action in revenge would only worsen the situation. We informed that the complains have been filed. Meeting with SDM, Tehsildar and Police has also been held where they have asked for some time to accede our demands to take penal action against the offenders and compensate the losses incurred by them. It was then decided that if the administration fails to take action, all of us will walk to district headquarter demanding justice on 24th of July, 2008. Local administration failed to act in the given time. Yesterday, on 24th July, 2008, over 700 Baiga tribals under the banner of Ekta Parishad walked for about four hours, all the way to the office of the District Collector. Collector invited a delegation of five persons, where as we suggested him to discuss the matter with many of the victims who have walked all the way to tell their vows and receive their Memorandum. However, he insisted to meet a delegation of few persons. We in a small group with few of the victims met him in his chamber and discussed the issue. District Superintendent of Police, SDM, Kawardha and Tehsilar of Bodla were also present. He had put in the other side of the story by stating that the other groups have also met him who has stated that the tribals have encroached upon the village grazing grounds. This was strongly refuted by stating that the fact remains that most of those who are in possession of those lands are not the recent cases but from past several years and now when the forest rights act has started to deliver results, those non tribals have come with a mischievous plan to see that those tribals do not get land ownership rights. I specifically stated that at Bilaspur district, in Ratanpur area, we have noticed that the faces who have led the *"FASAL CHARAI"* campaign in few of the forest villages are also seen in the "Van Vikas Samiti" that is empowered to submit the report in order to proceed to recognize the land ownership rights. Collector promptly assured that if there are any such faces in his district, they should be brought to his notice so that he can remove them. Ultimately, it has been decided that on 4th of August, 2008 a meeting at Bodla will be held with the stakeholders of BANDHTOLA villages where SDM and Tehsildar Bodla will be present with forest officials. Other group will also be represented. Those from our organizations are also invited to join where the matter will be addressed in Toto. He stated that like this, one after another, all the cases of the four affected villages will be taken up. Agreeing to our request he came out of his office and received the Memorandum from the tribals. He assured them of addressing their grievances at the earliest in order to see that justice is done with them. He also invited the tribals to come to him and apprise him of their difficulties without any hesitation. I must share with you all that while serving as CEO of Jilla Panchayat both at Sarguja and later at Bilaspur District, he has demonstrated how to work without coming under political or any other pressure. We have a great hope from him. Subsequent developments will also be shared. Pravin Patel Human Rights Activist Director, Tribal Welfare Society Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
