Kalinga Nagar tribals agree to meet CM

Kalinga Nagar tribals agree to meet CM

Pioneer News Service/ Bhubaneswar

12th April 2006

For the first time, the Kalinga Nagar tribals agreed to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in order to find a solution to their ongoing agitation.

The tribals, under the umbrella of Visthapn Birodhi Manch, had been continuing their road blockade since January 2 when 13 tribals were killed in police firing at Kalinga Nagar. The road blockade completed 99 days this Monday.

In a bid to persuade the agitating tribals to meet the Chief Minister, Jajpur district collector Arabinda Padhi met them on Monday and held discussions. Earlier, they had refused to talk to the Chief Minister, but this time, they did agree. However, the tribals urged the district collector that the Government must fulfil their three-point charter of demands, which included handing back the severed palms of the deceased tribals, suspension of the then collector and superintendent of police and withdrawal of cases lodged against the tribals.

It may be noted that the tribals' agitation is gradually losing momentum. About 400 tribals had earlier met the Chief Minister and urged him to take steps for welfare of the Kalinga Nagar tribals. They had also alleged that a few NGOs were instigating the tirbals.