Adivasi Mahasabha to hold statewide protest rallies,dharnas on Aug 3

According to a statement issued by the Mahasabha,rallies and public meetings will be held at Rajpipla,Dharampur,Ahwa,Modasa,Khedbrahma and Vadgam.

Also,cultural programmes will be organised at Chhotaudepur and Vyara to create awareness among adivasis about their rights over the forest land and the state government dilly-dallying the allotment of land to them.

Criticising the state chief secretary who recently said that only 10 per cent of the adivasi claims over the forest land were valid,Mahasabha leaders said on Thursday that how could the chief secretary conclude about the veracity of the claims when the application forms claiming the land rights were still being submitted and many claim papers were yet to be verified.

“Does it mean the government has already decided that it would entertain only 10 per cent of the claims irrespective of the proofs,verification and other just process?’’ said Fr Xavier Manjooran of the Mahasabha.