Picture: Nachika Linga
The quasi-political organisation, Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh, operating in Odisha’s Koraput and Malkangiri districts, has often been described as the frontal wing of the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of Maoists. The organisation has been in the news since the abduction of Jhina Hikaka in March. It was alleged that the abduction was the result of a deal going sour between the BJD and the Sangh. Speaking to The Telegraph from a secret location in Narayanpatna, Sangh leader Nachika Linga maintained that the deal had taken place.
lIs it true that the Sangh is a frontal
organisation of the Maoists?
We fight for the tribal rights and have nothing to
do with the Maoists. Our mission is to destroy all the illegal manufacturing
units of country liquor operating at our villages and give the land that the
government has forcefully taken away from the tribal community back to
them.
lBut why did the Maoists demand release of the
Sangh members while they were negotiating with the government on Hikaka’s
release?
The Maoists support our work for the tribals. They
also feel that the Sangh members, who have been arrested, are innocent.
lWhat is your fight with the government
about?
We want the government to give back the land taken
away from the tribal people. Plus, the government should address basic problems,
such as lack of irrigation facilities and healthcare centres and scarcity of
teachers in schools. There is no anganwadi centre operating in Narayanpatna.
Around 84 per cent people live below poverty line in Koraput. It’s been more
than 60 years since we got Independence, but the government has paid no heed to
our basic needs.
lYou are on the “most wanted” list of the state
police. There are over 60 cases against you ranging from murder to waging war
against the state.
These are false allegations. The government should
set up an inquiry commission on this before issuing arrest warrants against
me.
lDid you have an agreement with the BJD in which
you said you would help the party win the Koraput zilla parishad’s presidential
post if it agreed to your demands?
Yes that was the deal. MLAs, including Jayaram
Pangi and Jhina Hikaka, signed it.
lWhat were the demands?
We wanted the government to remove all criminal
charges against our members, who were earlier acquitted by the judiciary. Plus,
we asked for an independent inquiry into the Narayanpatna police firing that
took place in November 2009, in which our comrades Andru and Singhana were
killed. We also asked for prohibition of liquor at our villages and all-around
development. But, none of our demands has been met so far. Hikaka did not speak
to chief minister Naveen Patnaik about our demands.
lThe Maoists took a written undertaking from Hikaka
that he would resign as an MLA after his release. But, he hasn’t resigned yet.
Does that mean he may be abducted again?
The Maoists released Hikaka because he was a
tribal. Since Hikaka hasn’t kept his word, there is a possibility that he may be
abducted again. He should now severe ties with his party and work for the
people, especially for those in the most backward blocks — Narayanpatna and
Bandhugaon.
lWhat is your support base? And what is your next
course of action?
We have over 35,000 members. Our fight against the
government will intensify in the coming months. We are planning to form a
parallel governance system with the help of villagers to take care of our needs.
Also, our uncontested elected leader, Juro Mauka, in the Koraput zilla parishad
would ensure that welfare schemes reach our villagers.
Source: Telegraph - Calcutta
Source: Telegraph - Calcutta
No comments:
Post a Comment