TNI Bureau: OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das addressed Adivasi families in Sundargarh district who are protesting against land acquisition for OCL, accusing the BJP government of violating constitutional safeguards meant to protect tribal communities.

Addressing a public rally, Bhakta Das said land in Kutra and Rajgangpur blocks, covering two maujas and five panchayats and measuring about 36 acres, belongs to tribal and Dalit families and cannot be transferred under the Constitution and existing laws. He alleged that the acquisition was carried out without lawful consent and in violation of provisions that require approval from at least 80 per cent of affected families in the concerned gram panchayats.

Questioning the role of the administration, Das criticised the use of police force to support corporate interests. He referred to the deployment of around 40 platoons of police during protests on December 13, calling it an attempt to terrorise innocent tribal families. “What is the police meant for — the Constitution and the country, or for companies?” he asked.

Das said tribal communities have a constitutional right over water, land and forests, and accused the government of attempting to snatch away these rights. He stated that tribal land protection was ensured during previous Congress governments but alleged that such safeguards are now being weakened.

The OPCC president demanded the immediate return of unused land to the affected families and said Congress would continue to fight for the rights and justice of tribal communities. He warned that the agitation would be intensified if the state government fails to identify the affected tribals and provide relief.

Bhakta Das reiterated that the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee and the Indian National Congress stand firmly with the protesting families and will not accept what he described as “government-backed injustice” against tribal society.