Solidarity group representing Jenu Kuruba Adivasis submit letter to senior forest officials demanding withdrawal of forces in Nagarahole
Representatives of a solidarity group met the Karnataka Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and the PCCF (Head of Forest Forces) on Monday and urged them to withdraw uniformed forces in Karadikallu, Nagarahole.
The representatives of over 70 social and environmental organisations, youth groups, experts and professionals submitted a letter to the PCCF stating that the forces are threatening 150 Jenu Kuruba adivasis with forced eviction which is in gross violation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) provisions.
'The collective submitted this letter to the PCCF in light of the recent tense situation that has been unfolding in Karadikallu Hattur Kollehaadi, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve from May 5 onwards, where over 120 paramilitary troops of the Forest Department, the State police, and the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) have been deployed to intimidate members of the Jenu Kuruba tribe, with threats to forcibly evict them,' the representatives said in a statement.
It further said that on May 5 and 6, 52 families of Karadikallu returned to reclaim their ancestral village from which they were forcibly evicted in 1982-83.
'Since then, they have been facing intimidation tactics, with paramilitary troops threatening the Jenu Kuruba members, dismantling structures, including sacred sites and temporary sites for menstruating women, blocking of access to the village by Forest Department officials, amounting to a gross infringement of constitutionally guaranteed rights under the FRA,' it further said.
In their letter, apart from demanding the withdrawal of STPF and other armed forces they called of initiating an immediate dialogue with members of the Nagarahole Adivasi Jammapale Hakku Sthapana Samiti (NAJHSS) and the Karadikallu FRC to address grievances and ensure democratic and participatory resolution.
'Allow free and fair media access to Nagarahole to report the situation and speak with affected community members, upholding transparency and accountability. Immediately recognise and approve the IFR, CFR, and CFRR claims of all the 52 families of Karadikallu Hattur Kollehaadi as per the FRA, based on the claims filed in 2021 and the completed joint verification,' were among the other demands.
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