Orissa tribals, students protest against Maoist activities in Koratput

Koraput (Orissa), Aug 10 (ANI): The tribals and the students staged a protest against Maoist activities in Orissa's Koratput District on Wednesday on the death anniversary of tribal leader Arjun Kendruka, who was killed by the ultras last year in a case of mistaken identity.

Scores of men and women took to the streets here today and shouted anti-Maoists slogans under the banner of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS), a tribal organisation.

According to media reports, it is for the first time the members of CMAS, which is considered as a pro-Maoist group, have come out in open against the Maoists.

Sujata Shanti, a student activist, said that the revolution of the Maoists has not been faithful to its original cause and the villagers have turned into scapegoat in the rivalry that exists between the ultra groups.

"Though the Maoists say that they are in support of the tribals and lower caste people, they are killing the tribals. Maoists kill the tribals, who fight for their lands and rights. We thoroughly revolt and condemn the Maoist atrocities," said Shanti.

"We, the students and the youth believe that we will never take up or support the path of the Maoists. Maoists have let down the Marxist and Leninist ideology and have drifted away and therefore, we condemn their actions," she added.

Meanwhile, Ganesh Panda, CMAS Advisor, said that their organisation is fighting for the rights of the tribals.

"The Maoist killed Mr. Arjun, last year on this date. In this purpose, we conduct this meeting. Our main aim is land and struggle against the landlords and bureaucracy. We have been successful in the meeting last year, but Maoists killed Arjun. But they are not successful. Our aim is to cultivate the land and distribute it to the tribals," he said.

S. Jhansi, an activist crusading for the land rights of the tribals, speaking on the occasion accused the government for taking away lands belonging to the tribals for multinational companies.

"It (Government) is giving hundreds of thousands of acres (of land) to multinational companies. So, our fight is day-by-day intensifying and also our people are worrying a lot about what the government is not doing till now," said Jhansi.

"Even single acre also, it is not distributing. So, for this purpose, we are strengthening our organisation for the cause of this people's fight," she added. (ANI)