Pathalgarhi supporters misled us, say villagers in Khunti

People of Chitramu village in Khunti district have admitted that they had been misled by the supporters of 'Pathalgarhi' and pledged to implement the schemes of Jharkhand government.

The gram sabha of the village at a meeting held on July 12 said that the new form of 'Pathalgarhi' was misguiding the Adivasi culture and tradition of the people by explaining the Constitution in a wrong manner, an official release said.

"The new form of Pathalgarhi was depriving the villagers from the benefits of government schemes, education, health and other development works.

"Besides, Pathalgarhi has also distanced the villagers from the district administration," it said.

The people of the tribal village have also recently demolished the 'Pathalgarhi' slab installed in the village by the supporters of the movement, the release said.

'Pathalgarhi' is reportedly a practice in which villagers inscribe various tenets on huge stone slabs and ban outsiders in the area.

The gram sabha also decided to observe 'Pathalgarhi' in its traditional form and socially and culturally, the release said.

On the request of the gram sabha, the release stated, that "Chale Vikas ki Ore" (Let's march towards development) will be organised at Chitramu on July 27.