Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, August 09:
Observing the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, the Zomi Human Rights Foundation today call on the government to look into the grievances of the tribals and implement the acts it has approved in their regards.
Addressing the media after the celebration here, representatives of the foundation discuss in detail how the rights of the indigenous populace, particularly that of the tribals and adivasis are dishonored time and again.
In their bid to take their fight of the indigenous right, a joint statement drafter by the ZHRF and Amnesty International India has been dolled out on the sidelines of the meeting.
The statement duel in length the hardship confronted by the minority and largely exploited indigenous populace and the ground on which Indian National Policy on tribals was rejected by the Assembly of Indigenous Peoples.
That, some of the terms of the draft of the Policy on India's Indigenous Peoples, particularly regarding the definition and description of the term 'Tribal' are offensive and derogatory in nature, it alleged and appeals to the government to recognise among others, the unique customary laws, governing system, practices, rights of ancestral land of the tribals.
The joint statement further appeals for implementation of 'The Schedule Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006, drop false charges against human rights defenders and their immediate release.
It also beckons for immediate halt on evicting the tribals and adivasis from their ancestral land and for persecution of those responsible for violating their rights and areas.