Vittala is targeted as his family resisted eviction – Karat

Vittala is targeted as his family resisted eviction – Karat

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May20, 2012: Speaking on the evils of Naxalism and the human rights violation of adivasis, Prakash Karat, general secretary of CPI (M), said that the government is targeting Vittala and his family because they resisted eviction and refused government compensation.

According to the Forest Tribal Rights Act 2007, members of tribes can own as much as 12.5 acres of land in forest areas, he said.

 

Stating that adivasis are victims of environmental and forest policies of the government, he said that they have been caught up between Naxals and government forces all over the country. Criticizing the Naxal movement, he said that it has destroyed the democratic fabric of the country.

Speaking on the charges made against Vittala and his father, he said that the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act was a draconian law and is used against tribes just as Prevention of Terrorist Act was used against the Muslims. 

Noting that savage attacks have been made on the human rights of tribes all over India, he said that government policies favoring multi national and private companies have deprived tribes of their basic rights, leading to their large-scale eviction from forest areas. He also expressed concern that the government is approving mining in fifth schedule areas. 

The CPI (M) formed a district defense committee to fight against the arrest of Vittala and his father on this occasion. The party also appointed Yashwanth Maroli, president of Maanavatha Vedike, as the president of this committee, noted Kannada writer Sarah Aboobakker as the vice president, and Muneer Katipalla as the general secretary. The members of the committee are the best lawyers, writers, thinkers, and journalists of DK