Adivasis go on indefinite stir

PALAKKAD: A group of Adivasis, who are protesting  under the banner of Attappadi Samrakshana Samithi, has begun an indefinite strike on the wind farm site at Nallasingha ooru in Attappadi. The strikers demand the implementation of the report of the Chief Secretary, which found that a portion of the 374.48 acres of land, in which Suzlon had set up the wind farm, belongs to Adivasis. “The report has gone to the extent of stating that the windmills put up on Adivasi land should be dismantled along with the accessories. The land belonging to the Adivasis should be returned,” Attappadi Samrakshana Samithi president Sukumaran told Express.Sukumaran said that the committee led by the Chief Secretary had found that the documents with respect to tribal lands were forged.  There was a conspiracy by the employees of the Revenue and SC/ST department, Registration, Attapadi Hill Area Development Society (Ahads) who connived with middlemen in executing the transactions, he said.Sukumaran pointed out that it was a clear case of trespass, fraud and cheating as observed in the Chief Secretary’s report. It was suggested that action against perpetrators be taken under the Scheduled Caste and Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1985, and the Kerala Restriction on Transfer and Restoration of Land to Scheduled Tribes Act 1999. But, till date nothing has been done.Sukumaran said that the agitation will continue till the land is returned to the Adivasis.