All of us we know that FRA 2006 is not bearing any fruits in Tamilnadu for the sake of court case against the same.
45 families Paliyan adivais of Pulichimandurai, Bodi agamalai hills in Theni district of Tamilnadu wants to occupy the land under FRA 2006 allotted for them two years before which was encroached by forest department. They were planted the 7 saplings of Bee Nari tree and take possession of the land during last year. The land allotted to Paliyan is adjacent to forest boundary. Presently the paliyan adivais families lived in scatted manner in near by agri & horticulture farms as wage labourer under bonded system for 20kg of PDS rice and Rs. 500 per month.
The continouse educational and capacity building process initiated by young adivasis activist & Coordinator of CAFAT Mr.Dhanaraj and Mr.Raja, Director of ARUDECS, a member group of CAFAT who working among paliyan tribes in Bodi area. The result of the 4 years work yield some result by emergence of paliyan leadership among the community. The village leaders of the community continuously discus with their community to broke the bonded system with the support traditional and customary rights ensured under FRA 2006. A separte informal meeting was held at Madurai on 6th November for occupying housing land in Karakaddu, a foot hills bodi agamalai hills and its consequences was disused deeply by the leaders of Paliyan.
On early morning of 8th November, 24 families were moved to Karakaddu site and to build the huts. Around 11'o clock, the forest officials came and try evict the people by using muscle power. Leaders of Paliyan were opposed the move. All the families of Paliyans were ready to cooperate with forest officials if arrested legally with their cattle and other small animals. A three hour dialogue was gone both parties. Finally the Paliyan leaders asked forest dept officials to initiate dialogue with Mr.Dhanraj though he was in Madurai at PEAL office.
On behalf of Forest dept Ranger of Agamalai hills spoke to Mr. Dhanaraj over by phone. He explained the land related facts and provision given in FRA 2006 to Ranger. Finally they came to a conclusion of keeping the 7 Bee Nari plants as its in the site and the forest department never make evict which was also conveyed to DFO of theni by the officials. Paliyan adivaisis also offered a suggestion to forest dept, if they give fruit bearing trees in coming rainy sesson, they will ready to plant in the backyard of their huts. The forest official return back from the site around 2 clock when people joy and thanked effort made by leaders of Paliyan and Dhanaraj.
After that we both Paliyan adivasi leaders and activist team of CAFAT decided to expose the above said issue and the non implementation of FRA in Tamilnadu when Chief Minister of Tamilnadu visiting to Madurai for his grand son marriage on 18th of this month.
We spoke to Hindu, a national daily team in Madurai to cover the situation of Paliyan adivasis and their struggle for seeking CM personal attention during his visit to Madurai. Hindu press team visited Pulichimandurai (Sarakkadu) area and spoke to paliyan on 15th. It was finally published today in Tamilnadu column page which CM read regularly. Now we waiting for further actions both Patta issue at local and FRA at state level from higher official who are not taking any fruitful steps to implement the act so for.
Here is the link for your reading and referecne - http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/18/stories/2010111863840500.htm . I am also attaching the news clipping in PDF form.
With best wishes and Solidarity
T.Marirajan
State coordinator - JASuL
No;1, 3rd St, Maruthupandiya nagar,
Narimedu, Madurai - 02, TN, India
Ph: 09442524545
E.Mail:jasul.tn@gmail.com,tmarirajan@gmail.com
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