Nabarangpur, Aug 19 [UDN}: The Nabarangpur Tribal Protection Forum has submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through Additional District Magistrate Biswajit Barman, raising a series of demands concerning the protection of tribal rights, land, education, employment and social security.
One of the major demands is the strict implementation of Resolution 2/56 to safeguard tribal land and prevent its illegal transfer. The organisation has also demanded the establishment of loan facilities for tribal people to enable them to undertake industrial, commercial and house-construction activities.
The forum further urged the government to upgrade all high schools functioning under the Welfare Department to the higher-secondary level so that tribal students can access education closer to their homes.
Regarding government employment, the organisation demanded that all Group-C and Group-D posts in Fifth Schedule areas be brought under the district-cadre system. It also called for the identification of individuals allegedly holding fake tribal certificates and demanded immediate legal and administrative action against them.
Another significant demand was for a complete prohibition of liquor in Fifth Schedule areas, with the organisation arguing that such a step would help protect tribal families and communities from social and economic problems associated with alcohol consumption.
The memorandum also sought the transfer of the 29 subjects listed under the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution to Panchayats, with the objective of strengthening local self-governance. In addition, the forum demanded competitive coaching and pre-recruitment training facilities at the district level for tribal students to help them prepare for various competitive examinations and government recruitment.
The organisation also raised concerns regarding the alleged movement of tribal women and young women from Nabarangpur district to other states, particularly Tripura, in the name of sewing or tailoring training. The memorandum alleged that some of these women were subsequently being engaged in exploitative or immoral activities.
Tribal Protection Forum president Gopinath Majhi urged the authorities to take immediate steps to stop such practices and ensure the safety and dignity of tribal women and girls.
The memorandum broadly focused on strengthening constitutional safeguards for tribal communities, protecting their land and resources, improving educational and employment opportunities, empowering Panchayati Raj institutions and preventing exploitation of vulnerable tribal populations.
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