Actually much more than the Panas, it is the non-tribal immigrants (those who form the core base of the RSS/VHP in Kandhmal), who have been stealing Kandha tribal lands in collaboration with the petty officials of the administration. Panas, specially those who have had better contacts with the administration (and the Land Settlement staff) also managed to get some tribal land transferred in their names. It is precisely to ensure that the attention of Kondhs remain on the panas and not the bigger thieves, that the non-tribal immigrant community has managed this coup of dividing the panas from Kandhs, using the convenient tool of religion.
yes there are major issues between panas and Kandhs, but panas are not the greater exploiters of Kandhs. Their main exploitation is by the non-tribal hindu community, specially the trading class and peasantry which have settled in Kandhmals. one just hopes that Kandhs see through this game of divide and rule. regards Kundan
