Tribals not to allow floating of company in Aralam farm land

Opposing the idea of floating a company in the land earmarked for rehabilitating landless tribals in the sprawling Aralam farm land, various tribal and dalit organisations yesterday announced launching of a series of agitations against the reported government move.

The government idea to float a company went much against the interests of landless tribals and dalit families, who had been endlessly waiting for a decent rehabilitation in the 7,000 acres odd land purchased by the state Tribal Commission. The tribal outfits would oppose government moves at all costs, Adivasi Gotra Mahasabha President C K Janu said.

Charging the government with having a hidden agenda to allocate 3,500 acres to float the new company under the guise of helping tribals, Mahasabha leader M Geethanandan alleged that the government was tacitly extending help to the +real estate lobby+ to set up tourist resorts in land meant for tribal rehabilitation.

Around 30 dalit and tribal organisations have chalked out a joint strategy and would hold a mass rally to the state Secretariat on May 30 as a part of the intensified agitation for the speedy resolution of the tribal rehabilitation issue, Geethanandan told a press conference here.

The Dalit leaders said they would also raise the issue of speedy rehabilitation of landless people occupied in Chengara estate besides rehabilitation of landless tribals on a priority basis.