TRIBALS – 2007 - Indian Social Institute

have already claimed their rehabilitation package," said the Government sources. (Indian Express12/12/07)Assam: 6 adivasi rebels held (6)Guwahati, Dec. 12: The Assam police averted a major strike by the Adivasi National LiberationArmy (ANLA) when six of its members were arrested in Guwahati. The police feared that rebels ofthe adivasi separatist outfit had entered the city to avenge the attack on its community membersin mob violence last month. The arrests were made on Monday after a special commando teamintercepted a car in city in which two top ANLA leaders were travelling. The city police said: "Thetwo militants led us to a transit camp of ALNA on the outskirts of the city from where we managedto capture four other members of the group." The arrested militants include Raj Munda, thedeputy commander-in-chief of ALNA, a fledgling militant group fighting for a separate homelandfor the adivasis. ALNA is active in parts of eastern Assam’s Karbi Anglong and Golaghat districtswith the group often involved in the kidnapping of tea garden executives for ransom. The securityagencies believe that the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom was extending tacit supportto the outfit. The police admitted: "We had information that ALNA was planning to carry outcertain subversive activities in the city and hence we were on the maximum alert." The policeteam recovered cash and some documents from the six militants. The police said: "We may soonbe able to unearth arms and ammunition that these militants have smuggled in the city to executetheir plan." The adivasi militant group had earlier threatened to carry out violent attacks inretaliation against the mob violence on November 24 in Guwahati in which one person was killedand more than 200 injured. The incident took place when thousands of adivasis took out a protestmarch in Guwahati, demanding inclusion of the community as Scheduled Tribes. Clashes brokeout after a group of protesters turned violent and started damaging vehicles and shops. Locals ofthe area retaliated and in the ensuing clashes, the adivasis were outnumbered.(Asian Age13/12/07)Tribals assert their rights at Human Rights Day meet (6)Balangir: Adima Adhikari Surakshya Samiti member Sadhu Majhi addressed around 4,000 tribalsfrom 85 GPs of Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi district and Kalyansingpur blocks in Rayagadadistrict on the occasion of the Human Rights Day on December 10. Tribals are even ready tosacrifice their lives for protection of the Niyamgri mountains, said Majhi. The Dungarias, Jharniaa,Kutias and other tribals living in the Niyamgiri region should come forward to protect the mountainand oppose any effort industrial houses to exploit the precious minerals, as it would result in lossof their livelihood, besides displacing them, he said. Addressing the rally, organised by theNiyamgiri Surakshya Samiti, Siddharth Nayak said tribals are exploited since long as they areilliterate and helpless. Similar sentiments were also echoed by Katranag Majhi, Naath Majhi, TilaMajhi, Dhabali Majhi and Bhnumati Majhi. As tribals have been living in the area since hundredsof years ago, they cannot be deprived of basic facilities, observed Raghu Pujhari of NiyamgiriSurakshya Samiti. While Shivaji Majhi presided over the meet, Bhanumati Majhi proposed thevote of thanks. (Pioneer 14/12/07)Forest dwellers allege eviction (6)BHOPAL: Forest dwellers from Nepanagar in Burhanpur district alleged here on Friday that theywere treated as encroachers on forest land, beaten up and forcefully evicted from their villages bythe State Forest department authorities. Flanked by a small group of forest dwellers, Gopal Bhaiof Adivasi Ekta Sangathan released a report on alleged atrocities committed on the forestdwellers in Burhanpur district at a Press conference in the State Capital. He accused the CentralGovernment of playing into the hands of multinational companies and criticised the delay withregard to the notification of the Rules for the Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Mr. Gopal Bhai said the State Forest department staffwas committing atrocities and force was being used to evict forest dwellers from the landoccupied and tilled by them for many years. Their standing crops have been damaged andhouses destroyed. One of the forest dwellers, Ratan Bhai, told media persons that the forestpersonnel were also involved in looting away their belongings. Even their hen and chicken thatcan be sold easily and used as liquid money have been taken away by the forest staff, they