Orissa tribals occupy land in Koraput

Koraput (Orissa), June 18 (ANI): A tribal outfit in Orissa intensified their protests against occupation of land by non-tribals here on Wednesday.

Hundreds of activists of the Chasi Muliya Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) have forcibly occupied lands belonging to non-tribals across Narayanpatna block in Koraput district causing unrest in the region.cores of hutments across several villages of the block have been ransacked since the unrest broke on June 15.

Alarmed over the growing incidence of violence, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik deputed special teams to resolve the crisis.

"The RDC (revenue divisional commissioner) of the southern division will meet the tribals of the area of Narayanpatna and we are drawing up a plan shortly to address the grievances of the tribal people of that area," Patnaik said.

About 120 lower caste families of Padapadar village have taken shelter in the district collectorate office for the past three weeks.

Hundreds of non-tribal families have fled their homes as violence flared despite the deployment of paramilitary troops in certain pockets. (ANI)