Draft tribal policy out: Judum146;s no answer

Criticising the practice of arming tribals to fight extremists or policing their protests, the Centre today released a draft policy to address 8216;8216;the issue of protection and development of Scheduled Tribes in an integrated and holistic manner8217;8217;. Releasing the draft policy evolved for the first time since Independence, Tribal Affairs Minister P.R. Kyndiah told reporters that the aim was to 8216;8216;uplift the tribals who have been facing acute poverty, alienation from land and lack of livelihood opportunities8217;8217; in many parts of the country.

8216;8216;While policing of tribal protests is no answer, the strategy of Salwa Judum is also no answer. What happened in Chhattisgarh is very painful,8217;8217; the minister pointed out. Salwa Judum is an organisation set up in Chhattisgarh to fight the Naxalites who have expanded their base in tribal areas. A week ago, Naxalites raided relief camps in Dantewada, killing 25 Judum members and injuring 100. The draft blamed 8216;8216;a deep sense of exclusion and alienation8217;8217; suffered by the STs that develop a situation where they 8216;8216;view the State as their exploiter and enemy, and the preachers of violent actions as their protector and friend8217;8217;.

8216;8216;Such violent manifestations should not be viewed as merely a law and order problem to be tackled through policing or by arming the tribals to fight these events as is being done in certain areas,8217;8217; the draft said without naming Chhattisgarh. The 22-page draft policy also deals with a range of issues 8212; from land rights and indebtedness to health, drinking water, education, conservation of tribal culture and knowledge administration. The draft would be circulated to all MPs, state governments, NGOs and others for comments and taken up to the Union Cabinet in three months.

Meanwhile, the recommendations of the Joint Parliament Committee on the Bill to grant land rights to forest-dwelling tribals are being considered by a Group of Ministers headed by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee. The GoM had already held a meeting and would soon finalise the changes in the legisation, Kyndiah said.

Once finalised, the Bill would be sent to the Cabinet for approval and then tabled in Parliament. Officials said efforts were on to table the Bill in the Monsoon session starting Monday. 8216;8216;We are trying to make it as comprehensive as possible,8217;8217; Kyndiah said.