Karnataka - Madikeri   

Tribal people welcome passage of Bill in Lok Sabha

Staff Correspondent

Madikeri: Tribal people of Kodagu district, on Tuesday, welcomed the passing of the Tribal Bill in the Lok Sabha, saying it was a victory for their arduous struggle and would fulfil aspirations of the adivasi people in the country, Kodagu in particular.

Budakattu Krishikara Sangha Madikeri taluk president said the State Government should take steps to declare the tribal areas as "scheduled" at the earliest.

Mr. Muthappa said the passing of the Bill had given a fitting reply to certain non-governmental organisations in Kodagu to stop their alleged anti-tribal activities and instead come out in the open to help their lot. Such NGOs must stop hurling accusations against a few tribal organisations working in the district for the last several decades, he said. The Bill would ensure that non-tribal people living in the forests for over 60 years had equal rights as that of the tribal people, which was a good augury.

The Bill would now ensure development by attracting the attention of the powers-that-be, Mr. Muthappa said.

Sangha's Virajpet taluk president Jenukurubara Ramu said those tribal families that shifted from the Nagarahole National Park from Kodagu side to Veeranahosalli in Mysore district should be brought back and rehabilitated in the forests in the wake of the passing of the Bill.

The adivasis had offered prayers at the Ammalamma temple in the Dubare forests on Monday to celebrate the occasion, R.K. Chandru, former member of the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat, said. The Forest Department as well as the NGOs should stop interfering in the affairs of the adivasis henceforth in the district.

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