Tribals demand bifurcation of Thane Dist

Thane, Nov 20 (UNI) Lakhs of tribals from the district today warned that if the Maharashtra government immediately did not bifurcate the Thane district before the upcoming Budget session, they would march to the venue of the session to press for their demands.

They gave an ultimatum to the government during a 'morcha' (rally) taken out to the district collectorate here. The tribals came together under the banner of the Shramajivi Sanghatana, an organization working for the uplift of tribals in Thane district in particular and the state in general.

Founder of the Sanghatana Vivek Pandit and its President Vidyulatta Pandit led the morcha, which wend its way through the main streets of the city and finally reached the collector office.

The protestors shouted slogans like 'Shramjeevi Sanghatana Zindabad', 'Kamane Wala Khayega, Lutne Wala Jayega, Naya Jamana Aayega' (one who earns will eat, one who loots will go and new era will come).

Shiv Sena leader Subash Desai was also present to lend the support to the Sanghatana. Incidentally, Mr Pandit is the deputy leader of the Sena.

Talking to the media at the venue, Mr Pandit said the district was already having half a dozen civic corporations and another one is in the offing. It is naturally bifurcated as urban and tribal but practically it needs to be bifurcated into two districts for better administration, he said.

''This march of lakhs of tribals to the Collector's office is just the trailer. If the state government does not bifurcate the district without delay, we will show our strength in Mumbai and we will shake the throne,'' warned Ms Vidyullata Pandit, President of Shramjeevi Sanghatana.

District Collector Abashab Jarhad assured to look into the demands of the Sanghatana.

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