200 organisations urge Tribal Welfare Dept to address violations faced by tribals in Nagarahole
Bengaluru: A coalition of over 200 social and environmental organisations, along with legal experts, academics, and activists, has raised alarm over the alleged violation of tribal rights in Nagarahole.
The group has called on the Tribal Welfare Department to intervene and address what they describe as “forced eviction” of 150 Jenu Kuruba adivasi, violating the Forest Rights Act, as reported by The Hindu on Wednesday.
The memorandum, submitted to Randeep D., Principal Secretary of the Tribal Welfare Department, and Yogesh, Director of the department, by the representatives of the group highlighted the plight of the Jenu Kuruba tribe in Karadikallu, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve.
The members of the solidarity group includes organisations such as India Labour Solidarity (U.K.-based), Food Sovereignty Alliance, Students for Peoples Democracy, and Fridays For Future India, as well as activists like Meera Sanghamitra and Disha A. Ravi.
The issue came to light on May 5, when tribal families re-entered the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve to “reclaim their ancestral land”. In response, over 120 paramilitary troops of the Forest Department and police forces, were reportedly deployed to intimidate the Jenu Kuruba community. The authorities allegedly issued threats of forced eviction.
“In addition to this, the Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF), Nagarahole Wildlife division, issued a letter on May 8, citing a supposed May 6 High Court order, later found to have been fabricated, suspending the FRA-related activities, thus asking the Jenu Kuruba families to vacate their ancestral homeland in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve,” said a statement from the collective.
The letter by the collective termed it “a blatant attempt to withhold implementation of the FRA, 2006, amounting to perjury (lying under oath) under criminal law for the tiger reserve authorities, as well as section 3 (g) of SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,” added the report.
The letter has been signed by a diverse group of supporters, including academics from institutions such as IIT Madras, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, National Law School of India University, and Azim Premji University, lending further weight to the call for urgent intervention.
Meanwhile, Randeep has reportedly assured that the grievances will be looked into, and he expressed openness to sending a delegation to Nagarahole to assess the situation directly.
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Punishment for those disrupting assembly proceedings, warns Speaker UT Khader
Belagavi: Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday warned that members who disrupt Assembly proceedings by talking in their seats during debates will be made to sit in the House for an entire day as a disciplinary measure.
The warning came after the Question Hour, when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad was permitted to initiate a discussion on the development of North Karnataka.
At this point, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected, stating that he had been seeking a debate for the past three days but had not been given an opportunity.
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Responding to the objection, Speaker Khader said Bellad had already been granted permission and assured Yatnal that he would be allowed to speak at the next opportunity. He noted that even as a serious discussion was underway, several MLAs were speaking among themselves with their microphones on, disrupting the proceedings.
Expressing displeasure over the conduct of members, Khader likened the situation to football, where players receive red, yellow, or white cards for violations. Similarly, he said, the Assembly issues warning cards to members who disturb the House. If they fail to correct themselves despite repeated warnings, they would be required to remain seated in the Assembly hall for a full day as punishment, he stated.
