Fear of Attack on Anti-POSCO Movement

The threat of state and company sponsored violence looms large over farmers sitting on an indefinite dharna, at Balitutha in jagatsinghpur district of Orissa against the government's pet project - POSCO.

Any Way Out in Chattisgarh?

While few support groups continue to call for more democratic processes to prevail, the governments continue their offensive in Chattisgarh that have violated fundamental rights and derailed democratic processes. Within this context, perhaps a way out?

Mumbai Organizes Public Tribunal on DNT

Civic society groups in Mumbai organized a public tribunal to expose the conditions in which members of the tribes that had been categorized as 'criminal' continue to live. While the Government of India had 'denotified' the criminal status of these tribes, they continue to be stigmatized by communities as well as by government agencies.

Tribal Advocate Subjected to Police Atrocity

Alban Toppo - a fresh lawyer from a tribal family - recently got the taste of law enforcing agents in the Indian democracy. For asking questions about rights. Is the police overstepping?

Tribal Villages Win Right to Manage Forests

Maharastra is the first state to recognize the right of tribals over the forests. The government recently accepted the claims of two villages in managing their forests. This article was published in Down To Earth.

Indigenous People Suffer in Lalgarh

With alleged ongoing activity by Maoists groups and a major security thrust by State forces, reports tell of violence affecting people in Lalgarh.

Stories from Basaguda

Villagers who escaped the Maoist-Salwa Judum conflict return to their homes after three years - and still face unjust conditions. By Javed Iqbal.

Tribals Boycott Elections in Maharastra District

22800 members of tribal communities in 24 villages in Jalgaon district have not voted in election – boycotting the elections in protest of the systemic and government led violation of Forest Law, 2006.

 

Adivasi Frustration in Gujarat

Adivasi communities in Gujarat, frustrated with current administration, are asking for change.

Another Corporate Land Grab

Tribal rights activists Dayamani Barla said that the land given to ArcellorMittal was tribal land used by communities for their living or livelihood since 1932.

Whose Democracy Is It?

Sunil Kumar, editor of Daily Chattisgarh, Raipur, India talks about Salwa Judum, and the role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in Chattisgarh as tribals continue to be massacred.

Adivasis Struggle for Forest Rights

Aloka describes the contradictary laws, the unhelpful bureaucracy and steadily depleting livelihood sources that are destroying adivasis.

Plans for Tribal Rally in Gujarat

Lok Sangharsh Morcha is holding a massive rally at Sagbara (Gujarat) on 1 september,08, opposing the nuclear deal, price hike in essential commodities, deteriorating system of basic amenities like education, employment and health facilities  in rural areas as well as for the rapid implementation of forest act, 2006, providing legal rights to tribal over forest land.

The Twice Displaced

Twice displaced for development projects, Orissa's Machkund Adivasis are yet to get the compensation due to them, reports Aloka in her blog.

Yet Another Displacement Site

Adivasi communities in Maharashtra on dharna to protest displacement. A note from Pratibha Shinde.

Mining in the Niyamgiri Hills and Tribal Rights

The Orissa government’s agreement with Vedanta Alumina to allow mining of bauxite deposits in the Niyamgiri hills, the home of the Dongaria Kondha tribe, is an example of how corporate interests backed by state support are trampling on tribal livelihoods and threatening an ecologically rich and important region. A report by Geetanjoy Sahu published by CISED.

Indian Law Provides Forest Rights to People

Mansi Asher discusses the laws and rights of access to forests that the Government of Orissa ignores and continues to violate in attempting to 'clear the land of people' in setting up POSCO. The article was first published in infochange.

Tribals Rally Against Gujarat Government High Handedness

About fifteen thousand tribal people have participated in Surat rally demanding for the implementation of ‘Forest Act, 2006’ recently enacted by Indian parliament and simultaneously opposing their eviction by Gujarat government from their land, which is in possession since long.

Officials Attack Adivasis, Destroy Crops

More than 250 forest officials and local police along with talluka magistrate (Mamledar) armed with weapons entered into the cultivated forest land in Ummarpada talluka of district Surat, on 5^th September and destroyed about 200 acres out of three thousand acres of standing crops belonging to Adivasis.

Nepal's Maoists: Running Out of Issues

On 6 September 2007, Home Minister of Nepal and senior leader of the Nepali Congress, Krishna Prasad Situala publicly confirmed the Nepali Congress' decision to support the Maoists' principle demand to declare Nepal as a Republic. This article by Asian Center for Human Rights

Tribal Convention in Gujarat Demands Rights

Lok Sangharsh Morcha organized a state convention of tribal communities of Gujarat at Ahmedabad. The convention pledged that the struggle for land and democratic rights in Gujarat will continue

Fast in Khandwa for Rehab Ends

The 37 day fast for rehabilitation of the displaced by the Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar projects ended with promises to continue to monitor the rehabilitation process.

Collector Orders Exile for Gujarati Tribal Leader

One of the leader of Lok Sangharsh Morcha Bhikhu Bhai Tadvi was ordered by Narmada district Collector to quit his home district Narmada for two years.

Will a Rapist Police Officer be Held Guilty?

The following story was sent to us by a citizen's investigation group in Chattisgarh. While the source for this story is not clear, and though it has been reported in some niche blogs, we are hoping that discussions will shed some light on the matter as well as raise public pressure to hold the police superintendent(if responsible) guilty for rape of a tribal woman in naxal infested Chattisgarh.

Cultural Identities, Livelihoods and Empowerment

This is a story of change among tribal communities in Jharkhand - a story of economic empowerment, of government accountability and revival of a dying tradition. It is a story of revived cultural identity for tribal communities. It is a story not about change driven by money but by a motivation and commitment.

Another Farcicial Public Hearing

Despite widespread protest, a fraudulent public hearing organized by the Orissa State Pollution Control Board took place at Tikri on Tuesday, Oct 17, which addressed the expansion of the illegal mining and refinery project owned by Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), a joint venture of Hindalco (Aditya Birla group) and Alcan (Canadian aluminium giant), in the 5th Schedule areas of Baphlimali and Doragurha in Rayagada district, Orissa.

Expansion of UAIL Illegal, Through Intimidation

With a public hearing for extension of UAIL planned in an atmosphere of intimidation, where dissent is impossible, human rights groups are writing to executive, judicial and legislative heads of the Indian governance for intervention.

Adivasis in Hoshangabad Just Keep Getting Displaced

Adivasis of the Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh have been fighting for their right to a dignified life. This struggle has now reached a critical juncture where your support is required.

Malnutritions Deaths in MP
The Madhya Pradesh group of Right to Food has sent an alert of malnutrition deaths in Patalgarh village of Sheopur district.

How Should the Indian Democracy Address Naxalism?
Is the Indian State’s policy vis-à-vis Naxalism only addressing a symptom?

Citizen's Group Warns of Civil War in Chattisgarh

A civic society group finds that law and ordered in Dantewara district of Chhattisgarh State, in the midst of Maoist attacks, has been outsourced to local criminal elements called 'Salwa Judum' which is not accountable to any democratic process or bureaucracy.

Plachimada Resistance Drafts Water Policy

On the 4th anniversary of the Plachimada People�s Struggle, a community seminar including the adivasis of the affected areas came up with a water policy that would address the needs of people. Ajayan, the convener of Plachimada Solidarity Committee presents the resolution.

Siddamma and the Irula Struggles

Siddamma is a grassroots activist and an educator working with the marginalized Irula Tribals for the last 12 years.

CM Murders Tribals, Inaugurates Tribal Fair

Vidhya, with Agragamee, points out that “It is ironic that a Chief Minister, whose administration murders tribal people at the drop of a hat should inaugurate a 'tribal fair' less than one month after the most heinous of such acts”.

Tata Steel Must Own Responsibility

Public Interest Groups walk into Tata Steel office in Bangalore
risking arrest and submit representation

Kalinganagar Mutilation of Tribal Bodies Alleged

Independent Media consisting of a group of social activists in Orissa have presented what they say are the voices from the tribal communities while demanding that the mainstream media also present the concerns of the people. This report was sent by Nachiketa.

We Beat Our Children to Sleep

People's Vigilance Committee for Human Rights, Uttar Pradesh, India & Asian Human Rights Commission, Hong Kong, reports from a People's tribunal on starvation in eastern Uttar Pradesh

Protests in UK Against Killing of Tribals

Students across Universities in UK are joining together to protest killings of tribals by state police in Orissa. WorldOrissa carried this report.

Lathi Charge of Tribals in Orissa

Sixteen tribals, mostly women, critically injured. Massive lathicharge on adivasis.
Tense standoff between agitated tribals and police in Kashipur.