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Welcome to 'The Tribal Blood' blog

"In order to succeed, we tribals need a sense of self-efficacy, to struggle together with resilience to meet the inevitable obstacles and inequities of life. We should always remember that striving and struggle precede success, even in the dictionary."

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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Woman of Steel

By Kalpana Sharma

The State of Jharkhand, that mineral rich southern part of the former State of Bihar, which was hived off into a separate State in 2000, has become famous recently for the achievements of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian cricket captain who seems to be on a permanent winning streak.

But Dhoni is not the only remarkable individual from this State. In the wake of the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai, when the media was understandably concentrating on developments surrounding that tragic incident, a woman from Jharkhand was honoured at a ceremony in New Delhi. This went virtually unnoticed. She is not part of the glitterati, the "beautiful people" who seem to dominate our television screens these days. She will not be invited to television chat shows to give a sound byte. She will not feature on the front pages of our magazines and newspapers.

Yet, this exceptional 44-year-old tribal woman, a journalist and an activist, could probably teach even Mahendra Singh Dhoni a lesson or two about how to fight back even when you are down and everyone expects you to lose.

Worthy recipient

Dayamani Barla was chosen for the Chingari Award for Women Against Corporate Crime 2008. The award itself is remarkable because it has been instituted by two women who took on one of the biggest corporations in the world, Union Carbide in 1984 after one of the worst industrial disasters killed thousands of people in Bhopal. Rasheeda Bee and Champa Devi Shukla won the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2004 for their work in Bhopal to get justice for the victims. Instead of using the sizeable award money for their needs as they could have given that they were victims of the gas disaster, they decided to invest it in a trust that would recognise each year a woman struggling on the same issues as them.

In Dayamani Barla they have found a worthy recipient for the award. Like Rasheeda Bee and Champa Devi, Dayamani knows the cost of fighting against the powerful. Born in a village in Gumla district of Jharkhand to a landless family, Dayamani's father was forced to give up his house to usurious moneylenders when she was still young. Her mother had to find work as a domestic in Ranchi and Dayamani had to work to supplement the family income from the age of nine. But she also continued to study, and worked to support her family by giving tuitions and typing, at the rate of Rs.1 per hour. Many children under such circumstances would have given up education. But Dayamani persisted and cleared not just high school but even university. She did her Masters in Commerce from Ranchi University and went on to be an award-winning journalist and author. She was clear from the start that she wanted to use her pen to give a voice to those who are otherwise not heard.

There are many lessons one can learn from the struggles and lives of women like Dayamani. Currently, she is leading the fight against Arcelor-Mittal's plans to set up a giant steel plant in Jharkhand. Why should she oppose industry that will create jobs in her State? Because she believes that the price that the tribals pay when they are displaced from their lands cannot be compensated through a few jobs or money. "Natural resources to us are not merely means of livelihood but our identity, dignity, autonomy and culture have been built on them for generations," she is reported as saying. She believes that the location of such a huge plant will adversely affect the forests and water sources in the region.

Dayamani honed her skills for such a struggle when she joined the tribal groups opposing the Koel Karo dam in the 1990s. The dam would have submerged 66,000 acres and displaced 135,000 tribal families from their lands. Because of their determined struggle, the plans to build the dam were finally shelved.

Relevant journalism

As a journalist, she has used her pen to write about not just the injustices meted out to tribals resisting efforts to displace them, but also to expose the corruption in several government-run schemes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Here fake muster rolls allow contractors to claim money on behalf of the poor. Only vigilance by local groups or by the media can ensure that the scheme actually serves the purpose for which it was designed. Through her writing, primarily in the newspaper Prabhat Khabar, Dayamani has set a standard for the kind of relevant journalism that is rare at a time when celebrity and sensation dominate all media.

In Jharkhand as in other tribal dominated States, while State governments are busy signing deals with industries and mining companies to barter away tribal lands, the local people are organising resistance to these projects. The winners and losers in these struggles could well shape the future of economics and politics in this country. These battles represent an opportunity to devise a process of development that is inclusive, that is environmentally benign, that acknowledges the rights of people who have cared for the forests and the rivers, and that ensures that even if there is industrial development, it is not at the cost of these irreplaceable natural resources and vulnerable lives.

So as 2008 ends, I would like to salute women like Dayamani, for reminding us that there are other ways to "develop" and that it is possible to fight peacefully but with determination for your convictions.

Source: IndiaTogether

Monday, December 29, 2008

Tripura tribal parties oppose proposed wildlife sanctuary

Agartala: Tribal political parties in Tripura Monday launched a statewide agitation against the Left Front government's move to evict thousands of villagers for creating a wildlife sanctuary.

The Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), a political ally of the main opposition Congress, organised protest rallies and demonstrations in 18 tribal dominated places across Tripura.

'More than 100,000 tribal people in three sub-divisions - Gandachara, Amarpur and Ambassa - in southern and northern Tripura would be displaced from their homes if the wildlife sanctuary is created,' said Rabindra Debbarma, INPT general secretary.

'The respective sub-divisional magistrates have already issued notices to the 1,200 tribal residents of 19 villages to submit details of their lands,' he told journalists.

The tribal wing of the main opposition Congress and some other smaller parties also have threatened to oppose the government's move. About a third of Tripura's 3.5 million people are tribals.

'The tribal people were earlier evicted from their homes and lands when the Dambur hydel project was commissioned in south Tripura in 1974 from the three hill ranges - Atharamura, Kalazhari and Bhagaban tilla bordering Bangladesh,' Debbarma said.

Tripura Forest Minister Jitendra Chowdhury, however, denied any such move for creating a new wildlife sanctuary.

'We are planning to create a 'Critical Habitat Area' for the elephants and a few other endangered wild animals in southern and northern Tripura. The latest census has shown that the elephant population has gone up from 38 in 2002 to 59 now,' Chowdhury said.

The minister said: 'In the past four years, 519 cases of 'man-animal conflict' have been registered and the move is aimed to raise the animals' vegetation and fodder and help in their conservation.'

'The government will not evict a single family. Only some tribe-wise regrouping is likely to be done,' the forest minister said.

Veteran tribal leader Dinesh Debbarma, also the general secretary of the Congress' tribal wing, said: 'The Left Front government is once again conspiring against the poor tribal people to evict them from their home lands.'

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Adivasis to launch party on 4th January

Guwahati: Adivasis in Assam are finalising plans of floating a party of their own on January 4, encouraged by the electoral success of parties that represent specific communities.

The idea of a party, however, took shape more from disenchantment with established parties, especially the Congress, than the lure of electoral gains.

Since the community plays a decisive role in several Assembly constituencies, particularly in the tea belts of Upper Assam and the north bank and in lower Assam, Adivasi leaders feel they can cause maximum electoral damage to established parties.

Reeling under decades of underdevelopment, the tea tribes have been up in arms demanding Scheduled Tribe status and gradually shifting their loyalty from the ruling Congress, which the com- munity had been stead- fastly backing since Independence.

With the Assam United Democratic Front, the Bodo People’s Front and the Autonomous State Demands Committee showing electoral might, the Adivasis, too, feel that they have a fair chance as a political power.

Barring any last minute changes, the party will be launched at a convention of the community’s various associations, convened by the Adivasi Council and supported by the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA), at Biswanath Chariali in Sonitpur district.

Though the convention will deliberate on various issues, the formation of the party will dominate the proceedings.

The president of the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam, Justin Lakra, said the launch plans were in the final stage.

“A political party for the Adivasis had become imperative for securing the welfare of the community, used as a vote bank by political parties, mainly the Congress, which has always been trying to suppress our community. Senior community leaders have failed to deliver. The Tarun Gogoi government has not been able to do anything for Assam. We will rectify the situation. The party will be launched on January 4 and it will have a national character,” Lakra said.

The government, in fact, recently announced several welfare schemes for the community in an effort to appease them but that does not seem to have cut much ice.

David Horo, general secretary of the Adivasi students’ union, said: “We (Adivasis) need to unite and we need a party instead of leaders for deliverance. See what the AUDF or the Bodo parties have achieved with their MLAs. Like them, we also want to hold the key to governance to get a fair deal. Given our population, which would be around 80 lakh according to government estimates, we are in a position to play a critical political role in the state. In fact, we are seriously thinking of contesting Tezpur and Mangaldoi Lok Sabha seats. We know we can’t win in all seats but we have the vote to damage winning candidates,” Horo said.

The tribe’s resentment against the government was evident from Saturday’s 24-hour bandh called by the Birsa Commando Force, which is in ceasefire with the government since 2004, to protest the killing of three of its cadres in Udalguri on December 21.

The Adivasis are also unhappy with the manner in which the 2007 Beltola violence was handled.

Besides the Birsa Commando Force, Adivasi students’ union and the Adivasi Council, the Adivasi Mahila Samiti, Adivasi Sewa Samiti, Orang Mahasabha, Kuruk Mahasabha, Santhal Sabha and Munda Mahasabha are among the groups which are likely to join the convention.

“The proposal to float a political party enjoys our full backing and barring last-minute changes, it could materialise on January 4,” Horo said.

The Assam Tea Tribes Students Association (ATTSA) will also participate in the convention if invited, its president Prahlad Gowala said.

Source: The Telegraph

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Hundreds join Adivasi rally to mourn youths - Birsa Commando Force chief warns Dispur not to ignore the community’s silence

Dhubri: Hundreds of Adivasis converged from neighbouring districts to join a rally that was taken out from Choibari tea estate in Dhubri district this morning to mourn the death of two youths killed in an encounter with the army in Udalguri three days ago.

The silent procession snaked through areas in the vicinity, including Chapor town, Chapor police station, Bahalpur and Rangamati before culminating in the cremation of the two youths.

The three cadres belonging to the militant Birsa Commando Force, which is in a ceasefire with the government since 2004, were killed in the encounter on December 21. The outfit has called a 24-hour statewide bandh on Saturday in protest against the killings.

“The rally passed off peacefully. There was no sloganeering, no beating of chests, nor threatening gestures. But it was clear from the body language that Dispur can ill afford to remain indifferent to the demands of the community which is feeling let down because of the way the probe into the Beltola rally that turned violent on November 24, 2007 was handled. Besides, there has been no progress on the Scheduled Tribe status,” a source said.

The rally was organised by the Birsa Commando Force and Adivasis from all walks of life participated in it.

“We are pursuing peace as we believe in a peaceful resolution of all our demands. We have demanded a CBI inquiry into the killings of the three youths, Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the dead and the security for Adivasis in the Bodoland Territorial Council areas. The only message we want to send to the government was not to ignore our silence. Members of most Adivasi organisations participated in the rally. A similar procession was taken out in the Baganpara area of Baksa district from where the other killed cadre came from,” Birsing Munda, the commander-in-chief of the Birsa Commando Force, said after the cremation this afternoon.

Though the outfit was circumspect, the president of the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam, Justin Lakra, fumed over the attitude of the government towards his community.

“It is clear that the ruling Congress has hatched a conspiracy to suppress the Adivasi community. How will it explain the killing of these BCF members who were in ceasefire? Is it justified? We have no problem if they go after Adivasi National Liberation Army (ANLA), but why after AASAA or BCF cadres? It is wrong,” Lakra said, conveying the community’s displeasure with the ruling Congress.

Source: The Telegraph

Focus on tribal development

Siliguri: The Darjeeling district administration has asked the departments to expedite development work in the tribal dominated areas of the Siliguri subdivision.

“We have marked 80 backward villages in the subdivision and have started work according to a micro plan drawn up for each village with a view to create a constant source of income,” Surendra Gupta, the district magistrate of Darjeeling, said here today.

“It has also been decided to construct houses under the Indira Awas Yojana for people residing in the gardens. But we are facing a problem in executing the scheme as the management of the tea estates has not provided the no-objection certificates. So far, not a single estate in the Terai has provided NOC to the beneficiaries.”

Gupta said they had informed the problem to Union minister of state for commerce Jairam Ramesh and also to tea board officials. “They are expected to intervene soon,” he added.

Administrative sources said the chief minister, during his visit here earlier this month, had instructed comprehensive development for the tribals through speedy implementation of schemes and disbursement of SC/ST certificates.

“The chief minister had asked the departments working in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts to focus on tribal development to ensure that no further problem like the one in the hills mushroom in these areas,” a source said.

Source: The Telegraph

Friday, December 19, 2008

Rs 4.62 cr for drinking water facilities to primitive tribes

Bhopal: Funds to the tune of Rs four crore 62 lakh will be made available under Conservation-cum-Development Scheme for providing drinking water facility in the areas predominant by Saharia and Baiga primitive tribes during the year 2008-09. The state government has instructed the concerning Agencies that the work of selection of places, where hand pumps or wells are to be dug, through the Gram Sabha.

As per instructions issued by Commissioner Tribal Development Jaideep Govind, Rs three crore 49 lakh 50 thousand will be provided for sinking 466 hand pumps at the rate of Rs 75 thousand per hand pump in Saharia predominant areas. A target has been set for digging 150 wells in the areas predominant by Baiga predominant areas. For this purpose a budged of Rs one crore 12 lakh 50 thousand is being released to Baiga Development Agency. Each well will cost Rs 75 thousand.

It may be mentioned that during the year 2007-08, funds to the tune of Rs once crore five lakh were provided for ensuring drinking water facilities in areas predominant by Saharia and Baiga primitive tribes. Out of these funds, Rs 15 lakh were allocated for sinking 30 hand pumps in Saharia areas and Rs 90 lakh for digging 150 wells in Baiga areas. The state government has also issued instructions for making the progress reports of the fund utilisation within a week.

Source: Central Chronicle

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Breach of Land laws in Jharkhand

By Gladson Dungdung

The Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act 1908 known as the safeguard to the Adivasis prohibits the transfer of Adivasis’ land to non-Adivasis, marked 100 years on 11th November 2008. The Adivasis across the state raised their voices for immediate action against breaching of the law as they have already lost more than 22 lakh acres of land since independence. The case of an Adivasi village 'Tetulia' situated nearby the steel city Bokaro in Jharkhand is one of the crucial examples of land alienation through tricks and breach of the laws. The village has lost it identity and now known as Bari Cooperative, where 250 posh buildings have replaced the mud houses and non-Adivasis have become the owners of the land of the Santha Adivasis. 45 Santhal families had been living in the village but their lands were grabbed, they were forced to leave the place and few who survived live in mud houses outside of the cooperative area.

The 'Bari Cooperative Society' was established in 1980 by two property dealers R.K. Singh and B.K. Singh, who approached to the Adivasis with a proposal of establishing a cloth factory and promised them for jobs other than price of the land. Finally, they acquired 50 acres of land from Adivasis in the name of Bari Cooperative but the sad part is they did not even pay Rs 1 thousand per acre as promised. 40 years old Pankisto Manjhi says, "He had been given just 10 kg of rice for 3 acre of land". 60 years old Fagu Manjhi, whose 1.27 acre of land was acquired for the Cooperative given a job of guard in monthly salary of Rs 800 but when the cooperative was closed he was left in isolation. Similarly, Kari manjhi had 9.26 acres of land in which 4.24 acres were taken by the Bari Cooperative and 2.36 acres were captured by migrant Biharis and merely 2.66 acre lands are remaining. He has filed a case in Bokaro Civil Court against the Bari Cooperative in 2006 but nothing has happened yet.

Interestingly, the land was bought in the name of establishing a garment factory but after a few days the factory was closed down and the property dealers constructed posh buildings in the land and sold these to non-Adivasis at the market rate. When the matter was brought out into light, the deputy commissioner of Bokaro, Amrendra Pratap Singh investigated it in 2005 and found that 95 percent buildings were constructed on Adivasis land, which is serious violation of Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, but unfortunately no action has been taken yet. Ironically, 28 years have already passed since Adivasis’ lands were grabbed in the name of garment factory but they are still running from pillar to post for justice and rights.

The Adivasis land alienation is not a new phenomenon in Jharkhand. It had begun during the medieval period but it arose rapidly during the British regime. The British Indian government introduced “Jamindari system” by enforcing the ‘Permanent Settlement Act’ in 1793 which created upheaval in the Adivasi community. Consequently, the series of Adivasis upsurge took place in the state. The Santhals upsurge in Santhal Pargana, Kolh revolution in Kolhan and Birsa Ulgulan in Chotanagpur, which resulted in enforcement of three legislations – Chotanagpur Tenancy Act 1908, Wilkinson’s Rules 1837 and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act 1949. The prime objectives of these legislations were protection of Adivasis land, traditional self governance and culture. But these laws were seriously violated.

In 1969, the Bihar Scheduled Areas Regulation Act was enforced for prevention and legalization of illegal land transfer and of Adivasis. A special Area Regulation Court was established and the Deputy Commission was given special right regarding the sell and transfer of Adivasis land. According to the provision, an Adivasi can not sell or transfer land to another Adivasi without permission of the DC. When the special court started function, a huge number of cases were registered. According to the government’s report, 60,464 cases regarding 85,777.22 acres of illegal transfer of land were registered till 2001-2002. Out of these 34,608 cases of 46,797.36 acres of land were considered for hearing and rest 25,856 cases related to 38,979.86 acres of land were dismissed.

But after the hearing merely 21,445 cases regarding 29,829.7 acres of lands were given possession to the original holders and rest remains with the non-Adivasis. Further more 2,608 cases of illegal land transfer were registered in 2003-2004, 2,657 cases in 2004-2005 and 3,230 cases in 2005-2006, which clearly indicates that the cases of illegal land alienation is increasing rapidly. According to the Annual Report 2004-2005 of the Ministry of Rural Development of the Government of India, Jharkhand topped the list of Adivasi land alienation in India with 86,291 cases involving 10,48,93 acres of land.

A prominent Adivasi leader and Vice-Chairperson of the National Commission for SC & ST Bandi Oraon has undertaken a study on the implementation of various legislative measures meant to protect illegal transfer of Adivasis lands to non-Adivasis in the State. The study was confined to 15.703 cases registered in the Ranchi Collectorate in respect of Adivasis living in and around Ranchi city. The study reveals that merely 41.46 percent cases were accepted for hearing, 26.82 percent cases were rejected and 31.72 percent cases were kept in pending. But interestingly, out of the hearing cases, actual possessions were given in 96 percent cases.

The non-Adivasis used many tricks for acquiring Adivasis’ land. The best way of buying Adivasis land is get marry to an Adivasi girl and register the land in her name. This trick was widely used by the non-Adivasis. Secondly, many Adivasis surrendered their land to the money lenders after trapped by them through loan. Besides, threatening, coercion and illegal documents were prepared for acquiring land. Authorizing the Deputy Commissioner for land transfer also caused huge loss for the Adivasis as many non-Adivasi officers justified the land transfer to non-Adivasis. In many case, the court also defined the laws in the favour of non-Adivasis. Another major fact is the CNT Act was amended in 1947 for the purpose of urbanization, industrialization and for development projects caused huge deprivation of Adivasis from the land. Finally, these legislations were utterly misused, violated and interpreted against of the Adivasis by the policy makers, bureaucrats and other non-Adivasis.

In these circumstances, how can issue be addressed? The National Advisory Council constituted by the Government of India has sent a recommendation to the government of India on 19th January 2005 has ample provisions to address the issues. According to the recommendation, the state is required to play pro-active role in monitoring the restoration of lands to the Adivasis from the non-Adivasis. The transparency and access to land records (at the village level) to Adivasis in local languages, speedy disposal of cases where Adivasis are involved and oral evidence to be considered where records are not available. All pending land disputes should be settled at the earliest so that Adivasis do not face harassment from non-Adivasis, revenue officials and others. Regular updating of land records, regular Jamabandhi and display of revenue details at the village level. Where lands are restored to Adivasis, the non-Adivasis often obtain Stay Orders from the Courts which has to be obviated. All States with Scheduled Areas should have the prohibitory clause on transfer of lands from tribals.

The council strongly recommends that there should be no displacement of Adivasis for any project (mining, energy or any others) in the Scheduled Areas. The Land Acquisition Act may be amended in line with the PESA Act, 1996 so that the rights of the people are protected in the Fifth Schedule Areas. The setting up of industries in Scheduled Areas without assessing their impact on the Adivasis economy should stop forthwith. No agricultural land or land used for community purposes should be allowed to be transferred or purchased for setting up an industry. At no cost should the laws of the Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution be considered for amendment to open up the areas for control or ownership by private non-Adivasis individuals, industries or institutions. The honest implementation of legislations and recommendations would be panacea to address the issue.

Gladson Dungdung is a Human Rights Activist. He can be contacted at gladsonhrights@gmail.com

Saturday, December 13, 2008

West Bengal tribal development unparalleled: Biman Bose

The West Bengal government implemented the maximum number of developmental projects for the tribal communities in its backward districts, Left Front chairman Biman Bose said Friday while reacting to Trinamool Congress allegation that the state did not implement the centrally funded projects.

"The way we’ve implemented central government funded projects for the betterment of tribals in West Bengal is unparalleled," Bose told reporters here.

On Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s allegation that the state did not implement the centrally funded projects for the backward classes, he said: "If the centre had any problem with the functioning, they would have consulted the state government directly."

"You cannot even see that much of development for the backward communities in our neighbouring state Jharkhand, which is considered as a tribal-dominated region in our country," Biman Bose said.

"About 60 percent of the total land reforms, which was distributed among the tribal communities in India, took place in our state," added Bose.

Terming Trinamool supremo’s comment as baseless, Bose said: "One needs to be very careful before passing such comment. If she (Banerjee) has to point a figure at the role of West Bengal government, she must gather proper information on the issue."

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad calls for strike

Siliguri (WB): The Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad has called an indefinite strike in the Terai and Dooars from December 15.

The secretary of the Terai-Dooars Coordination Committee of the Parishad, Rajesh Lakra said that the strike has been called to demand the arrest of forest officers who had allegedly set 17 huts of tribal families on fire in Bir Birsa Munda Colony in Malbazar subdivision on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Additional District Magistrate of Jalpaiguri Navgopal Hira said that an enquiry has been ordered into the setting of 17 huts on fire.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Tribals call off Lalgarh stir

By Sukumar Mahato

Lalgarh/Salboni: Exactly a month after the tribal agitation was launched in West Midnapore's Lalgarh, the Committee against Police Atrocities decided to lift the stir on Sunday. The decision was taken after the state administration agreed to almost all their demands.

Committee leaders Chhatradhar Mahato and Lalmohan Tudu met additional DM R A Israel at Lalgarh police station. After the meeting, Mahato and Tudu announced that the blockade would be lifted and they would accompany district officials when they would go to remove the trees from the roads.

The four-hour meeting ended at 7 pm. The administration reportedly agreed that police would not conduct raids between 6 pm to 7 am and if raids have to be conducted, village chiefs would accompany the policemen. Also, if the inquiry into torture on tribal women being conducted by backward classes welfare secretary R D Meena finds any policeman guilty, then he will have to be punished. The government will also have to pay compensation to the victims. Another demand removal of police camps from the area has already been met.

The administration promised that police would not harass members of tribal organizations, and a block-level monitoring committee would be formed to check torture on tribals. This committee would hold meetings every month. Only two demands that the SP should seek forgiveness and the discussions should be held at Dalilpur were not met.

While the state government was under tremendous pressure to bring the agitation to an end. The Committee Against Police Atrocities, too, was under pressure from the tribals, because the agitation was causing tremendous financial losses to local people as the cultivation of paddy was being hampered.

Earlier on Sunday, before the decision to withdraw the blockade was taken, around 200 armed CPM men wearing masks and black clothes patrolled the area in trekkers and motorbikes and cleared the blockades at Bhadutola, Penchapara, Moupal, Chengshole. They also allegedly ransacked four houses and kidnapped one person named Muroli Mahato.

The operation that continued from 11 am to 4 pm was led by Meghnad Bhuniya, CPM district committee leader, who was arrested last November along with Tapan Ghosh and Sukur Ali from Egra of East Midnapore while returning from Nandigram. Bhuniya told reporters not to take photographs of the gang carrying arms, threatening them that their lives would be at stake if they took and published the photographs.

The Committee against Police Atrocities alleged that "CPM is bringing goons from outside. They have ransacked three houses, and beat up our workers. We have been holding peaceful movement since November 6 and the local people, including tribal and non-tribal people, are supporting our movement. But the CPM has conspired with police to destroy our movement. People will teach them a lesson," said Chhatradhar Mahato.

CPM has taken a new tactic in the area by sending two separate groups one to Belpahari and the other to Salboni. At Belpahari, CPM is reportedly asking villagers to oppose the blockade because it is affecting development work and at night are threatening people disguised as Maoists asking for money and paddy, so that people get frustrated with the Maoists.

The Tribal Life