In one more action to curb the articulation for Adivasi rights in Burhanpur, MP where the Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sanghatan (JADS) is active, Nitin an activist of Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan has been arrested after being implicated in an allegedly false case on August 27. This is reportedly the latest in a series of attacks by the Madhya Pradesh government against Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan over the past few months.
The Sangathan, in addition to campaigning for Forest Rights has been protesting against state connivance in the massive deforestation in Burhanpur district.
Earlier this year, on March 2, 35 Adivasis of Guarkheda (Baladi) village was arrested following a fracas with forest department personnel, and Nitin’s name was added later even though he was not present during the incident. Four Adivasis, including two women of Guarkheda (Baladi Panchayat), were forcefully taken away from their homes by forest personnel. People of the village attempted to find them and also informed Sangathan activists, including Nitin, of the incident. At the time, Nitin immediately contacted the DFO and District Collector, Burhanpur, seeking their intervention in the matter to ensure that due process of law was followed and no violence was committed against those picked up. The villagers were also informed about this conversation.
According to the villagers, when people reached the Burhanpur range office in search of the four picked up by the forest personnel, they heard screams from a locked room where it seemed like people were being beaten up. It is alleged that, following this, a clash between the villagers and the forest officials ensued, after which 35 Adivasis including 15 women were arrested by the police.
Recently, information released by JADS states that it came to their knowledge that the Burhanpur Police has made Nitin a co-accused in this case, and it is being alleged that Nitin incited the attack on the range office via the phone! Upon surrendering before the Court, Nitin has been arrested and been remanded to police custody. Upon being summoned by the police to record his statement, Nitin had earlier gone to Lalbagh PS twice in March, but both times the police had put it off on different pretexts. Ever since the Sangathan publicly protested the role of the administration in the massive deforestation in the area, its activists have been relentlessly targeted by the police and administration alike.
Due to the awareness generated by the activists of Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan regarding the Forest Rights Act and other constitutional rights of Adivasis, the organization states that it has been subject to malicious prosecution by the forest department. The most recent attacks of repression started against the organization when it publicly opposed the administrative collusion in deforestation of over 15000 acres of pristine forests. Organization activists Antram Awase and Dilip Sisodia were also sent to jail, Adivasi activists were implicated in a plethora of false cases and Sangathan activist Madhuri was externed from the district!
Burhanpur has had a long history of atrocities against Adivasis, where the forest department has routinely picked up, illegally detained and beaten people over the years. The entire community can attest to the lakhs that have been extorted over decades by corrupt forest officials in exchange for allowing their forefathers to settle and cultivate in the area. Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sangathan along with Adivasis are raising their voice, demanding their forest rights and constitutional rights, and are firmly opposing atrocities being committed against them!
Since graduating from the reputed “Tata Institute of Social Sciences” (TISS), Nitin has been with Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Organization for the past 5 years and has played an active role in the organization’s awareness campaign for legal forest rights.
Adivasis members of JADS reached Burhanpur in large numbers on August 29 and protested Nitin’s arrest which they said was an attack on their non-violent struggle for legal and constitutional rights. Nitin, they state has been falsely implicated. We are not going to be cowed down by such attacks, but will unite and continue to fight for our rights!
The statement has been issued by
Awase, Ashabai Solanki , Nasribai Ningwal, Valsing Sastia on behalf of JADS.