Tribals call for shutdown in Jharkhand over land acts

Tribal organisations in Jharkhand have called for a shutdown on Friday to protest against the amendments in two land acts by the Raghubar Das-led Bharatiya Janata Party government.

Jharkhand Adivasi Morcha and other tribal organisations have called for the shutdown to protest against the amendments passed in the assembly on November 23.

The Congress, Left parties and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) have extended support to the shutdown.

The united opposition had earlier called for shutdown in Jharkhand on November 25 against the amendment in two land acts.

"The shutdown has been called as the state government is playing with the sentiments of the tribal and indigenous people. The amendment has been made in both acts to grab tribal people's land," said Karma Oraon, Convener, Jharkhand Adivasi Morcha.

"This is first time that amendments have been made without any demand from anyone," Oraon said.

"The Congress party has extended moral support to the shutdown. We are against the repressive measures adopted by the state government. The amendment is not for the tribal people but for the industrialists. The Raghubar Das government is amending the acts at gunpoint, bypassing democratic systems," Alok Dubey, Jharkhand Congress General Secretary, told IANS.

The Jharkhand government succeeded in passing the bills amending the two land acts — Chhotanagur Tenancy Act (CNT) and Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act — which were tabled amid protests by the opposition on November 23.

The amendments were cleared by voice votes, without holding any discussion.

After the passage of the amendment bills, agricultural land can be used for non-agricultural purposes. The government can acquire land for infrastructure, power plants, roads, canals, panchayat buildings and others.

The Jharkhand government has made elaborate security arrangements to counter the shutdown. Drone and other equipment would be used to keep watch on protesters.