Orissa's Jodhia tribals demand special status

Kashipur (Orissa), May 27 (ANI): Orissa's Jodhia tribe staged a sit-in-protest on Thursday over their demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Members of the tribe, who participated in the rally in the Kashipur block of the Rayagada District, said that they have been deprived of education and employment due to lack of ST status.

"For the last 15 years, the government is not certifying Jodhia tribals as Scheduled Tribes. We have been demanding the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the last 14-15 years," said Rajeshwar Jodhia, a tribal.

"We have been agitating and surrounded the government block office, but no one listens to us," he added.

The Zonal Revenue Officer, however, said the administration is trying to sort out the issue with tribal leaders.

"Now, we are trying to locate their (Jodhia tribe) leaders and try to discuss with them and then we will find out a solution. But as per the list supplied by the SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribe) department for census, the Jodhia caste is not included in that list," said Sushant Singh, Zonal Revenue Officer.

"That's why, they are suffering and demanding to make it to the ST (Scheduled Tribe) list," he added. (ANI)