Tribals highlight problems to Rahul Gandhi

Mysore, Mar 26 (UNI) The tribals in the vicinity of Nagarahole National Park, where Rahul Gandhi spent the night yesterday, have explained to the AICC General Secretary on the various problems faced by them and how they remained neglected due to official apathy.

A letter in this regard was handed over to him during his visit to the Tribal Rehabilitation Centre this morning.

The activists belonging to Indian Institute of Tribal Education and working for tribal development in the area, told Mr Gandhi that tribals belonging to primitive tribes like Jenu Kurubas, Yervas, Soligas, Pariyas, Male Kudiyas and others remained badly neglected by the official machinery.

Convenor of the Centre M B Prabhu, who handed over the letter, urged Mr Gandhi to solve the various problems like illiteracy, malnutrition, high infant mortality, poor sanitation, lack of primary education and inadequate health care faced by the tribals.

The letter also sought an investigation into the implementation of the rehabilitation projects launched by the Forest Department in violation of norms set by the Centre and stipulations of National Human Rights Commission.

They also demanded an immediate end to the harassment of tribals by the Forest Department officials in Mysore and Kodagu districts, eviction of influential non-tribals who had encroached land in the forest area and regularisation of services of mahouts and others working in the forests.

UNI BSP RS VD AS1916