Congress calls for bandh in 8 backward districts on July 2

Dubbing NDA government at the Centre and BJD government in Odisha as "anti-tribal", Congress today called for a bandh in 8 backward districts of KBK region on July 2 demanding proper implementation of Forest Rights Act and release of party leaders arrested on alleged false charges.
"Both BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and BJD regime in the state are adopting anti-tribal policies which led to exploitation of tribals and poor forest dwellers," Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Prasad Harichandan told reporters here.
Alleging that government officials were exploiting the tribals particularly in undivided KBK (Kalahandi-Bolangir- Koraput) districts in the name of land giving pattas, he said false cases are being slapped against tribal people who are arrested when they protest.

The Congress leader further alleged that huge amount of money had been taken by forest officials in Raighar in Nabarangpur district from tribals residing in the region for years to give them land pattas.
When the tribals along with Congress leaders staged protests and demanded pattas they were arrested on false charges, Harichandan alleged adding that former MP Pradip Majhi, who also heads OPCC tribal cell, and 18 other party workers were arrested on false charges recently.
Instead of implementing the FRA properly and giving land pattas to those who deserve, the BJD Govwernment is trying to shield the culprits, he claimed.

This apart, tribals and forest dwellers are deprived of their rights over forest produces like kendu leaves, he alleged accusing the Naveen Patnaik Government of sheding "crocodile tears" for the tribals and poor.
Similarly, the BJP government at the Centre is also following policies which are detrimenral to the interests of tribals, the PCC chief said adding the Centre is attempting to snatch forest land to benefit others.
Keeping these in view, Congress has given a call for bandh in over eight districts in the KBK region on July 2 to demand immediate release of Majhi and others and withdrawal of cases slapped against them, he said.