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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Passing out parade held at IMA Dehradun, 491 young officers join Indian Army
Dehradun(PTI): After undergoing rigorous training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, 491 cadets participated in a grand Passing Out Parade on Saturday and will now be commissioned as officers in the Indian Army.
The spectacular parade, held at the historic Drill Square in front of the academy's Chatwood Building, was reviewed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who served as the reviewing officer.
Along with 491 Indian cadets, 34 foreign cadets from 14 friendly countries also participated in the Autumn Term 2025 Passing Out Parade.
A total of 525 officer cadets from the 157th Regular Course, 46th Technical Entry Scheme, 140th Technical Graduate Course, 55th Special Commissioned Officers Course, and Territorial Army Online Entrance Exam 2023 Course participated in the Passing Out Parade.
The 'Sword of Honour' and gold medal for securing first place during training was awarded to ACA Nishkal Dwivedi, the silver medal to BUO Badal Yadav for second place, and the bronze medal to SUO Kamaljeet Singh for third place.
The silver medal for securing first place in the 'Technical Graduate Course' was awarded to Officer Cadet Jadhav Sujit Sampat, and the silver medal for first place in the 'Technical Entry Scheme-46' was awarded to WCC Abhinav Mehrotra.
The silver medal for the 'Special Commission Officer Course' was given to Officer Cadet Sunil Kumar Chhetri.
Among the foreign cadets, the first place in merit was secured by JUO Mohammad Safin Ashraf from Bangladesh. The Army Chief's Banner for overall best performance in the Autumn Term was awarded to Imphal Company.
As the parade concluded, helicopters showered flowers on the newly commissioned officers from the sky.
On this occasion, General Dwivedi congratulated the new officers in his address for successfully completing their training. He praised the young officers for their high level of discipline, leadership qualities, and endurance, and urged them to uphold the glorious traditions of the Indian Army and serve the nation with loyalty, commitment, and honour.
General Dwivedi said that joining the army marks the beginning of a lifelong duty and selfless service.
The parents and guardians of the newly commissioned officers were also present during the passing out parade.
