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| Activists of Paschim Orissa Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangha in Sambalpur. Telegraph picture |
Sambalpur, May 22: Paschim Orissa Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangha, a tribal outfit of western Orissa, today threatened to lock the office of the revenue divisional commissioner, northern division, if the government did not take immediate action against “fake tribals”.
The outfit alleged that although the government had decided to take action against the people who were availing the benefits meant for tribals by using fake caste certificates, no concrete action had been taken so far. They said the association had brought the issue to the notice of the government four years ago and were assured that action would be taken against such people.
Niranjan Bishi, general secretary of the outfit, said: “We had produced evidence against 353 fake tribal people in Balangir, 141 in Sambalpur district, 204 in Bargarh district, 147 in Baudh district, 74 in Kalahandi district and 18 in Nuapara district, but nothing has been done so far.”
“We had gheroed the state Assembly last year to bring the issue to the notice of government. The then minister for SC and ST welfare Bijaya Ranjan Singh Bariha told us that the government would introduce a new law to deal with the problem. The delay on the part of the government has given rise to the fear that the government was not sincere in its commitment and it may not implement any law,” said Bishi.
“We will go to Bhubaneswar and gherao the Raj Bhavan if the government does not listen to us,” said Brajakishore Singhbhoi, president of the organisation.
“We will lock the office of the revenue divisional commissioner, northern division, in Sambalpur if the government failed to take immediate measures,” he added.
President of the organisation Brajakishore Singhbhoi said: “Telenga caste is a forward class in Andhra Pradesh. It was also categorised as socially economically backward class in Orissa.”