The CPI(M) has decided to launch a week-long nationwide campaign to fight for the rights of tribals from July 23. It was decided after party’s two days national convention on tribal rights organised in New Delhi. While addressing the delegates senior CPI(M) leader Biman Bose said tribals are facing discrimination in many parts of the country and government along with multinationals are indulging in unholy land-grabbing.
The tribal convention, attended by 200 delegates from 16 states, announced the formation of a “National Platform for Tribal Rights” and said it will launch a week-long campaign from July 23 to fight for rights of tribals across the country.
“The anarchist and terrorist-type activities of Naxalites in some tribal areas of West Bengal are creating hurdles in carrying out welfare and educational programmes for the community”, said Mr Bose.
In Jangal Mahal (forest areas of three Naxal-infested districts of West Bengal), activities of the CPI(Maoists) are posing problems, he said adding that they are creating anarchy and continuing terrorist-type attacks. A residential girls school was set up in (Maoist-hit) Belpahari but the anarchy is jeopardising their education, he added. He further said there is need for addressing issues of regional imbalance and uneven development.
While talking to reporters after the convention CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat said, “The meeting discussed several key issues like the connivance with and promotion of corporate interests by the UPA government in tribal areas, leading to displacement and land-grabbing”.
She further accused the UPA government for allegedly allowing plundering of forest land by big corporate houses.