Local tribals fear that with the increase in police activities in their areas, cases of atrocities and murders will also increase manifold.
Thousands of tribal villagers have gathered in Pakhanjur of Kanker district of Chhattisgarh to protest against the proposed construction of Bechaghat bridge.
On the 34th day of his protest, he called a mahapanchayat in the area. It has been decided in this Mahapanchayat that if the demands are not met, unrest will be created in the urban areas of the state.
These demands include a complete stop on the construction of the Bechaghat bridge and the construction of paved roads in the interior areas of Bastar.
On Monday, the tribal Mahapanchayat decided to start its activities by gheraoing local MLA Anoop Nag.
Soni Sori, a South Bastar tribal leader who took part in the Mahapanchayat, said, “The administration is continuously building wide paved roads, police camps and bridges in the interior areas of Bastar without the consent of the local tribals. These activities have created fear among the tribals that either the police forces will hunt them in the name of Naxalites or they will be implicated in fake cases and sent to jail.”
Local tribals complained that their peaceful life was being disrupted by the spurt in construction activities. They fear that with the increase in police activities in their areas, cases of atrocities and murders will also increase manifold. Maoists often target him as a police informer.
Local Adivasi Gajju Padda said, “We wanted hospitals, schools and colleges but instead paved, large roads and bridges are being built continuously in this Sixth Schedule area without consent. This is a direct violation of our constitutional rights. We are demanding immediate implementation of PESA in our scheduled areas.”
A local journalist told that there is a feeling among the tribals that a conspiracy is being hatched to loot the mineral and natural resources of Bastar. That is why the tribals are continuously opposing these activities.
However, senior police officials have denied the allegations and said that the Naxalites are using these tribals as their shield. Police officers are in touch with tribal leaders and soon a solution to the problem will be found.