ROURKELA: Two sections - one supporting PESA Act and Fifth Schedule of Constitution and the other backing the existing system of governance - are at loggerheads resulting in frequent clashes in the district.
The tribal-dominated Sundargarh district is defined as a Scheduled area under the fifth schedule of the Constitution where Provisions of Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act, 1996 is applicable. Under PESA Act, the local gram sabha is a powerful tool of self-governance. Sources said fringe tribal groups have formed self-declared PESA gram sabha committees ignoring the ones that have been constituted as per the Constitution. These self-declared committees are seeking self-rule.
The ‘Pathalgadi’ practice (installation of stone plaques) is widely prevalent in more than 250 villages or panchayats that have been virtually declared ‘liberated zones’ by these fringe groups which often clash with police and Government officials and resort to illegal activities to seek parallel administration.
On Tuesday, residents of Budakata in Kutra block demolished a stone plaque and drew the ire of the self-declared PESA gram sabha committee members. Both sides clashed and resorted to stone pelting. The self-declared committee also disrupted vehicular traffic on Biju Expressway for nine hours till senior administrative and police officers intervened and normalcy was restored in the evening.
The members of Khuntkati Suraksha Manch in Rajgangpur Assembly constituency of BJD legislator Mangla Kishan have started to oppose these fringe tribal groups leading to frequent clashes. In fact, law-abiding villagers resist such groups as they dislike the agenda of self-rule and secessionism but get little support from administration.
The Sundargarh Zilla Adiwasi Mulwasi Bachao Manch and Sundargarh Zilla Adiwasi-Mulniwasi Suraksha Adhikar Manch, led by Birmtirapur legislator George Tirkey, on Tuesday held a demonstration at Lathikata block claiming general laws framed by the Odisha Government were forcefully implemented in Sundargarh in contravention of the provisions of fifth schedule.
Meanwhile, Sundargarh District Collector Surendra Kumar Meena on Wednesday held a meeting with all stake-holders to dispel confusion over PESA Act and other constitutional rights of tribals. Rajangpur MLA Mangla Kishan, Talsara MLA Prafulla Majhi, Sundargarh MLA Yogesh Singh and Birmitrapur MLA r George Tirkey along with Sundargarh Special Development Council president Santosh Amat and Sundargarh Zilla Parishad president Emma Ekka attended the meeting.