Ranchi, Nov. 11: The chiefs of two rival parties, who had also served as chief ministers, today came together to warn the government against amending the tenancy laws, the show of unity marking the 108th anniversary of Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act in Khunti, where police firing killed a tribal protester and injured several others last month.

JMM supremo Shibu Soren and his JVM counterpart Babulal Marandi were addressing a public meeting at Kutchery grounds, where a memorial stone was installed several decades ago, commemorating the enactment of CNT Act to safeguard land rights of tribals and original natives.

Reiterating their individual party's stand that any move to amend the tenancy laws would not be tolerated, both urged the tribals and original natives ( adivasis and moolvasis) not to part with their agriculture land for any other purpose.

Soren said that the CNT Act, which, along with Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, was staring at changes proposed by the Raghubar Das government, was linked to religious faith of tribals, who were identified with their khatian (land records). Any type of fiddling with this faith will not be tolerated, he cautioned.

"All of you should be ready to go to jail as you can be arrested for opposing the proposed amendments to the tenancy laws. If anyone feels that we can be silenced with guns and batons, they are living in a fool's paradise," said Soren, indirectly referring to the police firing incident.

He also advised the tribals to stop consuming alcohol, work hard in their farmlands and ensure proper education for their children.

Echoing Soren, Marandi went on to allege that the government was befooling adivasis and moolvasis. He urged them to unite and wage a war against the powers that be.

"Birsa Munda led the Santhal rebellion from Khunti to safeguard the land rights of poor tribals. Another son of soil Jaipal Singh championed the cause of tribals during colonial days and early decades after Independence. Now Shibu Soren is the most acceptable leader of tribals across the country. That is why he is fondly being called Guruji. All of us ought to listen to him," he added.

Soren and Marandi sharing a common platform in Khunti, which is not their stronghold, was bound to set off a buzz. JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya clarified that the meeting was called by several tribal outfits under Adivasi, Khuntkati, Bhuinyari Sangharsh Abhiyan banner and Soren and Marandi were invited as special guests. "It is the question of safeguarding the traditional rights of tribals and cannot directly be linked to active power politics," he added.

HC notice

Jharkhand High Court on Friday sought the state's response to a PIL filed by Adiwashi Buddhijivi Manch challenging a government notification of April 29 that uses "local resident" instead of "local person".