By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Thiruvananthapuram: After 162 days, the Standing Struggle staged by the adivasis demanding rightful ownership of their lands came to a successful end on Thursday.
Started under the aegis of the Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha (AGMS), the struggle ended following an assurance given by the meeting of the ministerial committee to agree to the demands raised by the tribal community.
Adivasi agitators celebrating after standing struggle ends successfully
The agitators disbursed and organized a rally marking the joy of the adivasis after the AGMS leaders were given the copy of the minutes of the ministerial committee meeting. The AGMS leader and standing struggle convener Geethanandan told Two Circles.net that the demands were agreed by the state government.
The main demand of the Adivasis was five acres land each to all landless tribal families in the State. As per the assurance, the state government will soon take stringent action to allocate the land and government order will be issued in this regard. Requisite land will be also distributed to the tribes people, who are residing in the farms owned by the state forest department. Appropriate action would be initiated against the encroachers, who are carrying out farming in tribal lands.
The meeting also deputed the director of the state Tribal Welfare Department to conduct a study about the woes faced by the tribal residing in Aralam farm of Kannur district. The meeting decided to end the pineapple farming in Aralam to ease the sufferings of the indigenous people.
Special officers will be also appointed to supervise the implementation of various programmes, meant for the welfare of the tribal people. Actions will also be taken to promote the farming among the tribal community in Attappady and other settlements through the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP). Besides, the meeting decided to implement Adivasi Gramasabha Law in Idamalakkudy, Attappady, Aralam, Nilambur and Wayanadu settlements along with other minor blocks across the state.
Taking note of the plight of the adivasi victims of the Muthanga agitations, the meeting decided to rehabilitate 447 families. The identified families will be provided Rs 2 lakh each to erect new houses. The victims of the agitations, who suffered brutal assaults by the state police and forest department officials, will be compensated and the cases taken against the agitators, excluding CBI cases, will be withdrawn. The 44 children, who were arrested during the agitation, will be given compensation of Rs one lakh each.
The tribal children with sickle cell anaemia will be given financial assistance in addition to the present monthly pension of R 1000. A special package will be launched to resolve the issues of the Vedar community.
Expressing her joy AGMS leaders told Two Cricles.net that it was the victory of the democracy in the state. AGMS leader and standing struggle chairperson C K Janu hailed the social media and youngsters, who rendered ardent support to the struggle.
The neglect by the main stream media also came under heavy criticism. Janu said the media, which is following the corporate policies, turned a blind eye towards the woes of the tribal community and the standing struggle.
Exuding confidence in the assurances given by the government, said the government has agreed that it will implement the agreements signed in the C K Janu- A K Antony pact of 2003.