Restore the Rights of the Tribals
'Corporate interest and political illusion grasped their lands'

Bruce K. Thangkhal *

"In order to reduce the insurrection of tribal movements, the government should respect the rights of the tribals," said Bianca Jagger, an international human rights activist, at the event of Independent People's tribunal held in Constitution Club, New Delhi on April 11 (2010).

The People's tribunal jury comprised of Shri P. B. Sawant, former Justice of Supreme Court, Shri H. Suresh, former Justice of Supreme Court, Dr. Mohini V. Giri, former chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Prof. Yash Pal, former UGC chairperson, Dr. P. M. Bhargava, a noted bio-scientist & member of the National Security Advisory Board, and Shri K. S. Subramanian, former DG of Police.

Several activists and villagers from the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa shared their real-life testimonies of experiencing the deadly shootings, rapes, tortures, and arrests at the hands of state police and central security forces for protesting against displacement and violation of their rights. The tribal in these regions are completely deprived of their rights. They are living under constant fears and hunger.

The government grasped their land for establishment of Special Economic Zones and for industrial and mining projects. This forcibly led them into joining the ultra movements. Heavy bribes are being paid by the mining mafia in the state and central government.

Arun Agarwal, an activist said, "When ever budget comes, the corporate are bribing our political leaders by paying Rs. 300-500 crores to get the license of mining in the state." He remarked that the economics of mining led to the displacement of tribals in the Maoist affected regions.

The problems of these regions have nothing to do with the Maoist movements. The natural resources - bauxite and iron ores are abundantly found in the inhabited lands of the tribal. Extensive mining had severely affected the socio-economic life of these people. A simple debate on the Maoist movement does not give positive developments in the tribal lands.

"Though the Maoist proclaimed to overturn India, India state had already overturned the Maoist through the corporates," said noted author, Arundhati Roy.

Roy also vehemently criticized that the once the police entered the village, they began looting, beating, attacking and killing the innocent villagers without reason.

"Six hundred and forty villages had deserted their home and hid in the thick forest of south Dantewada. They hid the whole day in fear of the police and security forces. They returned home by night. The blind, deaf and disabled persons were the first to die in the security retaliations. Security forces used the villagers as the shields of weapon during the operation," Roy asserted.

Bianca Jagger, who had visited Niyamgiri village, said that the Vedanta Company has acquired over 1,000 acres of land inhabited by the tribals. This company carried out extensive mining works in Orissa. This company has displaced the villagers in misery. Most of them suffered from malnutrition and various diseases. The Vedanta displaced the villagers into in miserable condition.

Justice P. B. Sawant said, "We don't believe in violence. Maoist has to shun violence and come to peaceful talk."

"The negligence of our government has made the tribals as the second-class citizens in India. We are a microscopic people in this vast country. To save democracy, everyone's duty is to save the poor people. The model of development we have occupied is rigid to this state. We want a new model of development which will give justice to each and every individual whether he lives in tribal areas or outside India or in urban areas. We are looking the concrete term and solution to come out," said Justice Sawant.

The tribunal has recommended stopping Operation Green Hunt and initiating dialogue with the tirbals people who are living in the strife-torn states. Acquisition of land forced which had displacement the people should be stopped. The human rights violation of tribal communities in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa has to be taken into serious account.

The three-day long events of Independent People's Tribunal on Land Acquisition, Resource grab and Operation Green Hunt was organised by Citizen's against Forced Displacement and War. Students, academics, activists and the media attended the events.