Countrywide strike from Jan 27 demanding ST status to adivasis

Ranchi, Jan 17 (UNI) Demanding ST status for the adivasis residing in various parts of the country, the Joint Adivasi Action Committee (JAAC) will launch nationwide agitation, including indefinite economic blockade, from January 27.

The JAAC comprised Jharkhand Dishom Party and other tribal organisations.

JDP chairman and JAAC convener Salkhan Murmu today said here that the proposed agitation was expected to be effective mainly in Assam, Bengal, Orrisa, Bihar and Chattisgarh.

As per agitational programme, they would wear black badges and hold demonstrations in the district headquarters, Mr Murmu told a news conference and stated that rail and road traffic would be disrupted to mount pressure on the government in favour of the demands.

Criticising the stand of various political parties on the Assam violence issue, he said the incident smacked of ''apartheid'' but no inquiry had been done by the government.

Since the matter was related to tribals, it was not taken seriously, Mr Murmu alleged and said the incident would have rocked the nation if any other community had been targetted like that.

Demanding a high level probe, Mr Murmu said justice should be meted out to the victims.

Some other important issues of the 12-point demands included implementation of Chotanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act in the state and holding of Panchayat election soon.

UNI AM-PRS SJC SS1859