Orissa tribal conflict not religious: BJP team

By Our Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR, JAN. 8. A high level team of the Orissa Bharatiya Janata Party leaders has said that the ongoing conflict between the Panos and Kondh tribals, belonging to the Scheduled Caste, in Kandhamal district had nothing to do with religion.

The four-member team, which visited the strife-torn district a few days ago, observed that the problem was related to land disputes and the credit system prevalent among the two communities. Several incidents of violence and clashes had been reported in the recent months.

Addressing presspersons here today, Mr. Anadi Sahu, Lok Sabha MP and a member of the team, said the problem prolonged due to administrative neglect. It was serious in five panchayats of Daringbadi block and six panchayats of Kotgarh block.

Tension between the two communities was growing as local politicians were inciting the members for their own benefit. The Bahujan Samaj Party leader, Mr. Nakul Nayak, was inciting the Panos, while the Biju Janata Dal MLA from G. Udaygiri, Mr. Saluga Pradhan, was inciting the tribals, he alleged.

Any delay in resolving the differences between the two communities could worsen the matter. Mr. Sahu urged the State Government to set up grievance redressal committees in the affected blocks. The committees, which should work on the lines of the Lok Adalat, should have the local sarpanch as a member to arrive at mutually acceptable decisions.

The team also visited Kashipur block of Rayagada district where tension is prevailing since police fired in Maikanch village on December 15, over the controversy on the setting up of an alumina plant. The tribals of the area are opposed to the project.

The State Government should set up a high level all- party committee to decide whether bauxite mining and the alumina plant should be allowed at Kashipur, Mr. Sahu said.

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