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.

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They also raised the issue of Umarpada incident, where forest officials and local police had destroyed 200 acre crops in the headship of DFO SN Patel on 5 Septembers, 2007.

Tribal are demanding for expulsion of concerned DFO and punishment for culprits. They also demanded for compensation of 30 lakhs ruppes for their damaged crops. Rallyst were enthusiastically marched caring red flag in their hands from Shivaji putla to Vanita Vishram with the slogan…‘jangal jamin keda hai…ama hai ama hai’. Rally was converted into public meeting at vanita vishram. Rally was addressed by Comrade CK Chandrappan, MP (CPI), Ambarish Rai & Pratibha Shinde, President & General Secretary, Lok Sangharsh Morcha, Prof. Babu Bhai Desai, renowned social activist, Deepak Chowdhari, advocate, Mansookhbhai (CPM),Praveen from Jan Sangharsh Manch, Yamunabai Gavit, Suman Vasawa and several leaders of lok Sangharsh Morcha.

The speakers demanded that the central government immediately notify the rules to grant forest land to tribals. They warned central government against the abdication from its promised responsibility, while tribal bill- Scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers (recognition of forest rights) act, 2006, - had not come into force because the government failed to frame and notify the rules.

They also said that Modi Government is looking for popular support by declaring so-called ‘Ban Bandhu Yojana’ for tribal welfare but the other hand his forest officials and local police is evicting them from their old land and destroying their hundred of acres crop, like Umarpara. They asked to state government how they will justify the anti-adivasi act done into Umarpada. They demanded that state government should stop the eviction of tribal with immediate effect from their lands unless the struggle for making rules is being in process. They have announced for conducting continuous struggle for getting legal rights over their land is been in their possession till 13 December,2006, according to forest act,2006.

Lastly they submitted their memorandum to Conservator of Surat Rang and ADM of Surat at the place of public meeting. ADM has invited to LSM leaders for dialogue on the issues carrying by the rallyst in the presence of DM, Surat on 24, September, 07.

- Pratibha Shinde, General Secretary, LSM