BJD regime in Odisha working against tribals: CPI

CPI today accused the BJD government in Odisha of working against the tribals, saying it was amply proved by the killing of five civilians in the name of anti-Naxal operation in Kandhamal and death of over 19 children due to malnutrition in Jajpur district.
"Killings in the name of anti-Maoist operation have become a continuous process in tribal-dominated districts of Odisha. Such killings have occurred in Rayagada, Bargarh, Kalahandi and other districts earlier," CPI National Secretary K Narayana told reporters here.
He said the CPI national council demands stringent and exemplary punishment against those responsible for the killings and immediate suspension of Kandhamal SP.

The CPI also demands that both the Centre and state governments take immediate steps for stopping killings of innocent tribals in the name of anti-Maoist operations, Narayana said.
Describing the Maoist issue as a socio-economic problem, the CPI leader said the government should not deal the Maoist issue as a law and order problem only.
Referring to the death of over 19 children due to malnutrition at Nagada village in Jajpur district in three months, Narayana said a CPI team which visited the area, found no nutrition or food security scheme was implemented and no health care services provided in the tribal area.

"It clearly indicates that the state government is bent upon killing the tribal people under the guise of anti-Naxal drive on one hand and malnutrition on the other," the CPI leader said.

Asserting that CPI was opposed to these 'inhumane' approach, he said the party would launch a campaign against tribal killings throughout the state with mass mobilisation of tribals.
The party would also demand launch of special nutrition programmes and health care services in all tribal villages of Odisha and steps to provide jobs to the unemployed tribal people, he said.
Concrete steps should also be taken to ensure tribals' right on the forest land and honourable living for them, the CPI leader added.