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ShareNew Delhi: At a time when Maoist violence has become a great cause of worry for the government, prime minister Manmohan Singh accepted there has been a systemic failure in giving tribals a stake in the modern economic processes that intrude into their living space.
Though the PM did not utter the 'Maoist' word, his entire speech at the inauguration of a conference of chief ministers and state ministers for tribal affairs, social welfare and forests touched on Maoist violence.
The conference is on the implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006, and to promote tribal development and welfare programmes. The government believes harassment of innocent tribals and their arrests under Forest Rights Act fanned Maoist violence.
While trying to send a positive message to the tribals, the government offered them an olive branch by asking states to withdraw all cases and release tribals arrested for violating the Forest Act. Madhya Pradesh has already withdrawn six lakh such cases while Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have withdrawn two lakh.
"Innocent tribals are joining Maoists as hundreds of them are facing harassment for collecting minor forest produce like honey in violation of the Forest Act," minister for tribal affairs Kantilal Bhuria said.
The PM said systematic exploitation, social and economic abuse of tribals can no longer be tolerated, but no sustained activity is possible under the shadow of the gun. "While violence cannot be tolerated, tribals must be the primary beneficiaries of the development process. We have to win the battle for their hearts and their mouths," the PM said.
The PM suggested that the states post committed and competent officers in tribal areas and offer them special incentives like hardship allowances, special housing and educational facilities or grants.
A short distance from where the PM was emphasising on equitable growth for tribals, nearly 200 members of various tribal communities were protesting, demanding their right over forest land. "The Centre claims it cares for the rights of adivasis and wishes to provide them development. However it promotes initiatives that deprive the community of their rights," said Shankar Gopalakrishnan a tribal activist.
(with inputs from agencies)
