Roy pat for brave tribals

Ranchi, Sept. 26: Activist-author Arundhati Roy today saluted the people of Jharkhand for fighting for their rights.

“I came to Jharkhand because I wanted to salute the people of this state for holding up the fight and not allowing any more industries to make inroads in this tribal heartland,” said Roy.

She was in the state capital to attend a two-day tribunal-cum-seminar organised by Independent People’s Tribunal on Operation Greenhunt in association with Jharkhand Alternative Development forum.

“I have seen here for the first time that the poorest have been restricting the world’s richest companies from coming to the state. Even after so many MoUs were signed in the last half decade, no one could set up their firms here. The land belongs to the tribals and it is they who should decide what to do with it,” she said, stressing on the fact it doesn’t mean that she is pro-rebel.

“The only solution for eradicating Naxalism is sustainable development and recognition of tribals’ rights. Operation Greenhunt can never provide the solution,” she added.

A four-member jury headed by Prashant Bhushan, senior Supreme Court lawyer and convener, Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reform, released a 10-point agenda on the occasion.

“Based on the talks between villagers, activists and intellectuals, we have compiled some measures for the government’s immediate consideration. The government must address the underlying causes of tribal alienation by ensuring PESA Act. All MoUs which involve acquisition of tribal land must be made public and put on hold,” said Bhushan. He also demanded setting up of state human rights cell.