Tribal parties are enraged at the perceived indifference of the governors

Ranchi, Oct. 1: Tribal bodies have threatened to sue the governors of erstwhile Bihar and Jharkhand for not discharging their Constitutional duties as protectors of tribal rights.

Parties such as the Jharkhand Party (Horo) and the Jharkhand Janadhikar Party (JJP) hold the governors responsible for the decline in the tribal growth rate and exodus of tribals from Jharkhand region.

They have also threatened to file a public interest litigation with Jharkhand High Court.

?A governor is given the authority under Article 19 (5) D, which says it is his responsibility to check the influx of outside settlers scheduled areas so that the tribal population is not reduced into a minority. Despite this, the constitutional heads never bothered to protect the interests of tribals,? JP chief N.E. Horo told The Telegraph.

The leaders accused the governors of watching in indifference even when tribals were being deprived of their rights and their property was being grabbed forcefully by outsiders.

?Right from Independence, there were laws enacted to protect the property, culture and identity of the tribals. But they were never executed in their true spirit. In Jharkhand we have the Chhotanagpur and Santhal Parganas Tenancy Acts under the provisions of which a tribal land can not be either sold or transferred to non-tribals,? JJP president Bandhu Tirkey said.

?Isn?t it a crime that despite the laws, tribal property continues to be occupied?? Horo said.

To take up the matter in public forum, the two bodies have also called a convention on October 10 at Ranchi?s Town Hall. Legal and demographic experts have been called to deliberate on the decline in the growth rate and the role of past and present governors. The parties have also asked other parties to deliberate on the issues.