Tuesday, September 15, 2009

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/09/15/stories/2009091555560300.htm)
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Land struggle: differences between groups to the fore


Staff Reporter


Breakaway group of CMAS trying to dilute it, says AIKMKS leader

BHUBANESWAR: Internal feuds among organisations involved in “land struggle” in Koraput district are now out in open with All India Khet Mazdoor Kisan Sabha (AIKMKS) here on Monday alleged “certain anarchist elements led by Gananath Patra resorted to killing and looting”.
Addressing a press conference, convenor of AIKMKS Subodh Mitra said their struggle to end land alienation and restore lost land with tribals and landless dalits was the real mass movement in Koraput and Rayagada districts.
A breakaway group of Chasi Muliya Advasi Sangha (CMAS) under leadership of Nachika Linga was trying to dilute the struggle by making it “tribal specific”, said Mr. Mitra.

Terrorising people

He charged “the group is terrorising the people and propagate false propaganda to create division between tribal and other poor inhabitants of the area.” AIKMKS sought to clarify that no naxal group was involved in the land struggle and it was purely a democratic movement.
For last six months in Narayanpatna block of Koraput district, activists CMAS, which is claimed to have been affiliated to AIKMKS, have been occupying lands on a large scale claiming that these patches were fraudulently occupied by moneylenders and outsiders from tribals years ago.
Speaking on the occasion, K. Kotaiah, a senior AIKMKS leader, said they were engaged in on grassroots struggle for past 15 years for rights over land, forest and other natural resources in tribal areas.

False cases

He alleged fearing consequences of mass upsurge, vested interest outsiders with the help of current government officials were conspiring to divide people. “False cases are being filed against CMAS activists and several arrests have been made,” he said.
AIKMKS leaders alleged that a tribal girl, member of CMAS, was gang-raped by 17 persons when they informed Bandhugaon outpost about the ghastly act, police bluntly refused to accept FIR.




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