New Delhi: The government has withdrawn over
one lakh cases slapped on tribals in Naxal-hit Jharkhand as
part of its efforts to win their confidence in its fight
against Left wing extremists.
The step has been taken after the Home Ministry got inputs
from the Governor that it was necessary to withdraw the cases
as the tribals are being harassed unnecessarily over petty
issues.
The cases include stealing fruits from forest, cutting
woods, grazing cattle, hunting and entering reserved forests
without permission.
"The tribals are running from pillar to post in connection
with these cases. So we reviewed the issue with the state
government and advised them to withdraw the cases and they did
it accordingly," a Home Ministry official said.
The Centre is all set to launch a massive offensive
against Left wing extremism in Naxal-hit states like Jharkhand
where majority of the population belong to Scheduled Tribe.
"We hope that by withdrawing the cases, we would be able
to win the goodwill of the tribals and they will help us in
the fight against the Naxals," the official said.
Jharkhand, which is under President's rule, has been
witnessing massive development activities during the last nine
months.
Parties express reservation over govt move
Refusing to read much into the
decision by the Centre to withdraw one lakh cases against
tribals in the state, the JMM tonight dubbed the move as
"insufficient" while the BJP termed it as a "political stunt"
to drive mileage before the forthcoming assembly elections.
Asking why the Centre was not addressing the basic
issues faced by tribals like taking the initiative to hold
panchayat polls in rural pockets, JMM central committee
general secretary Ramesh Hansda alleged the move was nothing
but an "eyewash" to win the votes of tribals.
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP MP Arjun Munda
described the move as a "political stunt" to woo the tribals
before the assembly election in the state.
Rejecting the government figure outright, Munda
claimed the figure of one lakh cases against tribals itself
was wrong.
Even if it was true, the government should also
disclose under whose regime and under what circumstances the
tribals were booked, Munda said.
Munda said he himself had recommended for withdrawal
of 15,000 petty cases related to forest and railway department
pending against the community.
JDP president Salkhan Murmu, however, welcomed the
government's move but described it as "insufficient".
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 00:27