In Odisha’s Koraput district, hardly a week passes without the police announcing the “surrender” of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS) members. But what crimes did the Adivasis commit for which they had to surrender? That’s a question even the Koraput Superintendent of Police Avinash Kumar finds hard to answer. CMAS chief Nachika Linga, an Adivasi who is currently underground, has been named in every case filed against the CMAS or the CPI(Maoist) in Narayanpatna, Bandhugaon and Laxmipur blocks of the district. Linga spoke to G Vishnu from an undisclosed location
June 7, 2013
Nachika Linga | 44
Chief, Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha.
Photo: Niha Masih
EDITED EXCERPTS FROM AN INTERVIEW
How many of your activists were arrested? How many are still in jail?
Till now, over 500 innocent Adivasis have been jailed. Most of them were members or sympathisers of the CMAS. There has not been a single conviction. When the cases reach the court, they have always ended in acquittal. More than 100 activists are still in prison.
Why are so many CMAS activists surrendering to the police?
Since 2009, there has been an aggressive campaign to loot Adivasi lands at gun point. Farmers are being told by the police either to surrender or face the bullet. Ordinary Adivasi villagers are being forced into police jeeps and later paraded in front of the media. Those who have asserted themselves and fought for their rights are being shown as ‘surrendered’ CMAS members.
What are the goals of your organisation?
I was a bonded labourer for a moneylender. Ever since I was a child, I have seen how alcohol is used as a weapon against Adivasis. Ours is a democratic struggle for our rights. Adivasis managed to acquire land only after facing great odds, but the liquor mafia and non-tribal landlords enslaved us on our own land. “Jameen Mukti, MadhaMukti, Goti Mukti (Struggle for land, emancipation from alcoholism and bonded labour)”: that’s the motto of the CMAS. The CMAS aims to create awareness among Adivasis about their rights.
Though your movement was non-violent initially, the police say you are Maoists.
We are fighting for our rights, and anybody can support us. The Maoists, and even intellectuals in Bhubaneswar and New Delhi, support Adivasi movements. But it is wrong to claim we have joined the Maoists. The police victimise Adivasis by branding them as Maoists. This must stop.
When innocent Adivasis are killed, some people see it as ‘collateral damage’. Do you also think some sacrifices are necessary?
The ordinary Adivasi fights with the elements to grow crops. Where do your people get rice from? Adivasis and farmers provide that rice, but today they are the ones getting killed. On top of that, the establishment claims it can ensure the welfare of Adivasis. Adivasi blood is being shed everywhere, so it doesn’t matter whether or not I think sacrifices are necessary.
Related articles
- Press Release- Stop the cycle of violence in Central India. Halt all violence on Adivasis (kractivist.wordpress.com)
- #India- Dealing with Maoists (kractivist.wordpress.com)
- Press Release : NAPM on Maoist Ambush in Chattisgarh (kractivist.wordpress.com)
- Report Of The Killing of Adivasi Civilians by CRPF at Edesmeta in Bijapur District (kractivist.wordpress.com)
- Empower tribals or it will get worse: Ex-DG, BSF (kractivist.wordpress.com)
- You Say You Want A Revolution – Film Review (kractivist.wordpress.com)
- World listens to ‘Iron Lady of Jharkhand’ in the Big Apple (kractivist.wordpress.com)
- Chhattisgarh- What will Bastar’s children reap from this bloody war of binaries? (kractivist.wordpress.com)
Leave a Reply