108 tribal villages to boycott Bihar polls; here's why
What's the story
As Bihar gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections, the residents of 108 tribal villages of the Kaimur plateau have announced a boycott of the polls. The boycott comes in protest of an alleged police crackdown when the tribals were protesting against the declaration of the area as a tiger reserve. A fact-finding report stated that a person was killed by a police bullet.
Context
Kaimur Mukti Morcha demands region to be declared 'scheduled area'
The Kaimur Mukti Morcha (KMM), which had led the protests, has asked the government to declare Kaimur as a scheduled area as per the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. The creation of a tiger reserve in the area must be done only after the consent of the gram sabhas and the approval of the tribal population, the organization has said.
Report
Fact-finding team visited region over alleged police excesses
A four-member Delhi-based fact-finding team had visited Kaimur's Adhaura Block from September 23-27, Newsclick reported. The team comprised Amir Sherwani Khan (All India Union of Forest Working People), Matadayal (All India Union of Forest Working People), Raja Rabbi Hussain (Delhi Solidarity Group), and Supreme Court advocate Aman Khan. CPI(M) Politburo member and Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch Vice President Brinda Karat released the team's findings.
Police excess
Police 'unleashed crackdown' on peaceful protesters: Report
The team found that on September 10, thousands of adivasis (including children) from 108 villages gathered at Adhaura's forest department office. The protest started peacefully at the Birsa Munda Smarak Sthal, however, the police "unleashed a crackdown," the report stated. Seven activists were allegedly fired upon, baton-charged, and picked up by the police on trumped-up charges. They were released on bail on October 16.
Police excess
Government waging undeclared war on tribals' constitutional rights: Brinda Karat
Chaphana village resident Prabhu was allegedly killed by a police bullet that went through his ear, the report stated. The police allegedly baton-charged men, women, and children, injuring many. "The government is waging an undeclared war on the constitutional rights of the tribals," Karat said. On September 12, the police allegedly ransacked KMM's office, arresting "dozens of activists" on false charges, the report added.
Quote
'We want criminal action against cops under SC/ST Atrocities Act'
Matadayal was quoted as saying by Newsclick, "We are demanding that those who initiated violent action and crackdown on the adivasis need to be criminally and legally handled." Matadayal added, "We are being charged with one crime after another for merely raising our voices, we want criminal action to be taken against these officers under the SC/ST Atrocities Act."