Southern States - Kerala   

Adivasis call off agitation

By Our Staff Reporter

KANNUR NOV. 16. The nine-day-long `occupation' of Nelaimala, near Chathirur, under the control of the Forest Department, by activists of the Adivasi Vimochana Munnani (AVM) was called off following talks between AVM leaders and Forest officials at Iritty here today.

The talks mediated by the social and human rights activist, K. Panoor, were held this afternoon in the backdrop of the Forest Department's ultimatum on November 14 asking the Adivasis illegally occupying the land to leave in 48 hours or face forcible eviction.

Nearly 60 Adivasi families had occupied the 126-acre Neelaimala forest land under the Kottiyur Forest Range here since November 7.

The efforts to end the impasse had gained momentum yesterday when Mr. Panoor offered to mediate between the AVM activists and the Forest officials.

Though the AVM activists had remained adamant all these days, they agreed to leave the land following some assurances made in the form of a formal agreement signed by all those involved in the talks.

Apart from Mr. Panoor, the DFO, K. K. Chandran, the AVM chairman, Aruvikkal Krishnan, K. Sudhakaran (Samara Sahaya Samithy), K. Madhavan (Wayanad Adivasi Vikasana Samithy), Raju (AVM), the Forest Range Officer, C. V. Rajan and the Forester, M. P. Prabhakaran, took part in the talks.

The Government had been recommended to hand over the 126-acre land at Chathirur for assignment to Adivasis, the AVM leaders were told at the meeting.

The DFO also told them that the District Collector had given an assurance that 36 acres of land at the nearby Noottipathu Adivasi colony would be surveyed and assigned to the Adivasis.

The Forest Department would extend its help for developing the colony.

An extended meeting involving all Government Department officials would be convened at Iritty soon to discuss the comprehensive development of the colony.

It was also decided to form an Adivasi Vana Samrakshana Samithy at Chathirur.

It was agreed that the Forest Department would be considerate while handling the cases registered against AVM activists in connection with the occupation of the land.

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