Bhubaneswar: Hailing the call of ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save the Consitution), tribal and Dalit rights organisations are observing an all-India bandh today, demanding that the Centre promulgate two ordinances to secure their rights that have been affected by Supreme Court decisions- the first to secure the forest rights of tribals, and the second to ensure fair representation in UGC faculty posts.
Following the bandh, cargo movement on as many as 31 routes of State Highway was affected. Vehicular movement was hit at many places in the state including Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Baripada. Furthermore, streets wore a deserted look as shops and business establishments were shut down.
The Dalit activists also resorted to picketing and blocked the NH 18 and NH 49 in Mayurbhanj due to which many goods-laden trucks were left stranded on the highway.
Noteworthy, the call for the nationwide strike comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court order to carry out the eviction of tribals and forest dwellers, whose claims over forest land were rejected under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Though the Supreme Court stayed the order last week, tribal rights groups have demanded an ordinance, stating that there is still a looming threat of evictions.
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Kalinga AI