Tribal rights movement gains momentum in Jharkhand

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Jan 30: The Adivasi Suraksha Parishad held a press conference today at the Circuit House, emphasizing the urgency of implementing the PESA Act 1996 in Jharkhand. The Act mandates state governments to establish rules for strengthening the self-governance system in tribal areas within one year of its enactment. However, 28 years later, these rules have yet to be formulated due to on-going legal delays.

“The government has now been given clear instructions by the Hon’ble High Court and Supreme Court to implement the PESA Act within two months,” stated Ram Singh Munda, President of the newly expanded Tribal Security Council. “However, the state government’s reluctance seems politically motivated, and the tribal community in scheduled areas is growing increasingly frustrated.”

The Parishad has scheduled meetings in Rajnagar on February 4 and Salgajudi on February 12 to rally public support. The newly formed Jamshedpur Metropolitan Committee aims to lead the movement forward, with a list of key officials including General Secretary Upendra Nath Sardar and Vice Presidents Hopna Mahali, Prakash Sandil, and Sharat Singh Sardar.

Ramesh Sharda, Central President of the Parishad, expressed hope that the expanded leadership would strengthen the push for tribal rights and welfare.