The Zilla Adivasi Sangha, Nuapada held a rally and demonstrations in front of the Khariar Police Station and RD office at Khariar on Friday.

The Sangha alleged that the Khariar police were not acting seriously on atrocity cases against tribal people.

The tribal organisation demonstrated in front of RD office opposing construction of a road in forest land as well as in the lands owned by tribal people without obtaining due procedures.

A memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister was submitted to the Executive Engineer, RD demanding diversion of forest land for construction of the road from village Liad to Ranimunda.

The Sangha demanded an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study of the road construction project as the forest to which the proposed project area belongs is one of the virgin forests of Nuapada district having rich flora and fauna.

"The forest here is rich in diversity and density. We would not allow the work to be executed in violation of the Forest Act of 1980," said Sangha secretary Balkrishna Sabar.

The tribal body also demanded adoption of due procedures for construction of road in land belonging to STs. "How can you forcibly take away the lands of tribals without permission of competent authority," asked the leaders. In regard to delay in arresting the accused persons involved in atrocity cases, the Sangh leaders said that the police were having lenient views on such issues.

"A Supreme Court order states that that the police must arrest the accused persons when the atrocity case is lodged, but Khariar police were not following it," said Sabar. 

 Zilla Parishad member Bhanu Majhi, former Sarpanch Bidur Shabar, Karthik Mallik, former ACF, Jayaram Shabar and other leaders of the Sangha were present.