'Adivasi Bachao Andolan' on anvil in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Sep 5 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Adivasi Mahapanchayat is set to organise an 'Adivasi Bachao Andolan' programme to bring all tribals of the state on a single platform to raise their demand for making a tribal as chief minister.

''Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren will be the chief guest at the programme where discussion will be held about the miserable conditions of tribals,'' Adivasi Mahapanchayat Convener G R Rana said here today, adding that it would be held on September 7.

He alleged that maximum harm to the tribals was caused by ruling Bharatiya Janata Party though it came to power with tribal support.

''Tribals are being killed in the name of Salwa Judum -- an anti-naxal movement launched with the state government support -- and by the ultras,'' he said.

Holding BJP government responsible for cancelling a Lok Sabha seat reserved for the Scheduled Caste and five Vidhan Sabha seats reserved for tribals due to delimitation, he said some leaders of Congress were equally responsible for decline in the number of reserved constituencies.

''Jharhand having 24 per cent tribal population is headed by a tribal chief minister while Chhattisgarh having 34 per cent of tribal population is deprived of a tribal chief minister,'' he added.

UNI XC-KV SP HT1658