Goregaon adivasis march to protest lack of power, water

However, the adivasis did not name any politcal parties in their speeches made after the march. In fact, some activists of the Nationalist Congress Party tried to meet the leaders who spoke at the march but were politely sent away.

Said Dhakle Jannu Burkhud, an adivasi, the BSES does not provide power connections unless Rs 7000-8000 is paid per connection, which the BSES is claiming as installation charges. The adivasis are unable to pay these amounts. The expenses are important because the adivasis live in houses scattered over a larger area.

It is ironically, only the adivasi padas that are left out. It is also ironical, that they have roped in a non-tribal, non-political organisation, the National Anti-Corruption and Crime Prevention Council, (NACCPC), led by local activist, Mohan Krishnan, to help them in their struggle.

Adivasis from Charandev Pada told Express Newsline that they had to walk miles to collect water, mostly from the Adarsh Nagar village inside the Milk Colony. Squabbles between the residents of the padas and the Adarsh Nagar were common.

The Royal Palms complex, which has the blessings of Sena chief Bal Thackeray, on the other hand, has all the facilities. So has Fantasyland, which is to the southwest of these clusters.

The Shramik Mukti Sangh, and the Charandev Adivasi Sangh have been fighting a prologed battle against the alleged encroachment of their land by the Royal Palms.