From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network – Madikeri (EP)

Madikeri, Dec 20: CPIM which has indicated support to the campaign of the displaced people alleged that failure of the government administration is the cause of the situation to reach up to nude protests.

CPIM party state committee member S Y Gurushanth speaking at a news conference here urged the district administration to apologize to the Adivasis and promised party support to the procession of the Adivasis scheduled on December 22. He urged the district in-charge minister, minister of revenue, minister of forests and minister of social welfare to hold a special meeting, discuss with officials and sort out the technical aspects to solve Diddalli problem.

“The district administration should identify Paisari land in their respective grama panchayat limits and the landless can be provided sites if at least 30 acres of land is available,” he opined. “Funds for the development of backward tribes amounting to Rs 29 crore released during the last three years have remained idle. The amount could be used to provide houses and basic necessities to the backward tribe. However, the people have to live on the streets due to the negligence of the officials,” he alleged.

“Though it is said that the place where huts are situated is deemed forest, it belongs to the revenue department. Therefore the government should acquire it and distribute it among the Adivasis,” he urged. “Encroachments occur only because officials ignore applications for sites submitted by the backward tribes. Such tribes face oppression while working as slaves in horticulture line houses. They dream of owning houses, but the officials get money for misusing the helpless people,” he said.

“The chief minister of the state is not showing any interest in the weak. The forest department at present has eyed only the land where the Adivasis are staying. It may show its authority also in Coorg Bane land. Therefore Diddalli problem is not confined to Adivasis. All should support the cause of the shelterless Adivasis,” he said.

District organizing committee members H B Ramesh justified the campaign of the Adivasis. “People who were working as laborers for small farmers had constructed huts in Diddalli. They have woken up against the incidents of slavery,” he opined.