Ranchi, Sept. 28: Two prominent tribal bodies, the Jharkhand Party (Horo) and the Jharkhand Janadhikar Party (JJP), have challenged the authenticity of the 2001 census report, on the basis of which the Delimitation Commission has suggested a reduction in tribal seats.

Representatives of the two parties called on Governor Ved Prakash Marwah this morning to denounce the report. ?The figures are wrong, for two reasons. First, the census was not conducted at the right time of the year. Secondly our demand for being recognised as followers of Sarna sect was not considered. As a result, we were counted as Hindus,? JJP central committee chief Bandhu Tirkey said.

?The census was carried out at a time when many tribals had migrated in search of employment to other states. The census report hence, is not credible,? N.E. Horo, chief of JP (Horo) said as the delegation came out of the Raj Bhavan. The delegation handed over a 11-point charter to Marwah demanding an increase of Assembly seats from 81 to 160 and suggested that the Delimitiation Commission seek the opinion of the Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC), a constitutional body set up to protect tribal rights. The leaders also rejected earlier census reports.

The delegation urged Marwah to exercise powers vested with him under Article 19 (5) D of the Constitution. Under the provisions, it is the responsibility of the Governor to check the influx of outside settlers in areas under Schedule V of the Constitution.

?The Delimitation Commission?s proposal is aimed at reducing tribals into a minority in the state, which was formed to protect the identity and culture of the tribals. If the proposals are approved, it would be a gross injustice to the tribals of the state. Since the Governor is the protector of the rights of tribals, we requested his intervention,? Tirkey said.