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Nachika Linga urges government to hold direct talks with him and CMAS

BERHAMPUR: “Let me be shot dead in front of the State Assembly if the State government thinks my killing would solve the problems of poor tribals in Narayanpatna,” was the emotional utterance of leader of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) Nachika Linga before a huge gathering in Narayanpatna block of Koraput district on Friday.

After a gap of more than a year Mr. Linga had come out in the open to take part in this rally organised by the CMAS at Kumbhari village. It may be noted he is termed most wanted by both Orissa and Andhra police.

This rally by the CMAS follows the acceptance of 14 demands of Maoists by the State government for the release of abducted Malkangiri Collector, R.Vineel Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Majhi. Demands included release of all arrested CMAS activists.

On Monday through The Hindu, Mr. Linga had urged the State government to hold direct talks with him and the CMAS to resolve their long-standing demands related to issue of land rights and release of their ‘innocent members'.

A large crowd of around 10,000 CMAS activists including sizeable number of women had gathered up at the block headquarter town. They marched together to Kumbhari where the public rally was held, which was attended by Mr. Linga amidst plethora of cheers of his supporters.

This public meeting was also attended by president of Orissa Jan Sammilani (OJS) Rabi Dash, convenor of National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) Prafulla Samantra and Nihar Ranjan Patnaik, special advocate appointed by the State government under Orissa Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Programme (OTELP) for land settlement.

Addressing the gathering Mr. Linga reiterated that they never believed in violence and would continue their legitimate demands for right over land, water and forests of their area through democratic means.

He also urged the dalits of the area to come forward and join hands with them in this struggle. “We are not opposed to anyone and we want all in Narayanpatna block including the nontribal higher castes to have their share in the cultivable land but with proper redistribution,” he said.

He described how CMAS activists on their own had dug up canals to irrigate around 200 acres of land without any government help.

“There is ample water in our area but no means of irrigation but the government is trying hard to destroy it all by proposing mining in Deomali hills which we will never allow,” he added. He alleged that till date crores of rupees spent on developmental projects in the area but it had only filed up the coffers of corrupt officials, contractors and liquor traders, he alleged. He demanded proper educational facility in all remote areas of Narayanpatna block alleging that the existing schools were running for name sake with absentee teachers.

Mr. Dash termed stir of CMAS as unique in the history of our country where a former bonded labourer like Mr. Linga was leading the movement.

The corrupt at the apex of power seem to be frightened by the fact that success of CMAS may lead to similar movements throughout the country jeopardizing their continuing exploitation plans. Mr. Samantra alleged that till date police and administration had tried suppressing the CMAS in the name of Maoist links while it was nothing but a democratic movement.

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