Jamshedpur, Sep 28 (PTI) Senior BJP leader Arjun Munda on Monday attributed the prevailing law and order problem to the changing nature of tribal agricultural lands in Scheduled Areas of Jharkhand under the alleged patronage of the JMM-led government.
Instead of resolving such issues impacting the state adversely, the government was trying to drive political mileage of the situation, he claimed in a press conference here.
The former chief minister said Article 244 of the Constitution is meant to safeguard the interests of Scheduled Areas, but the state government is violating the provisions, which has impacted the local people adversely.
Munda said the nature of agricultural land in the Scheduled Area can only be changed for industrial purposes through the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act.
Any attempt to change the nature of agricultural land in the Scheduled area, barring industrial purpose, would be tantamount to invasion of constitutional provisions.
About the several multi-storied residential complexes that came up in Panchayat area in Dobo in Seraikela-Kharswan district, Munda alleged that those were done illegally, resulting in dwindling tribal population.
“How was Kapali, which comes under the panchayat system, converted into an urban area despite the notification issued by the President of India as a Schedule V area,” the BJP leader questioned.
“I am citing examples of Seraikela-Kharswan district only, but such illegal activities are being committed in various parts of the state,” he said.
Munda expressed apprehension that the imbalance of population in Scheduled Area could damage the delimitation process and particularly deprive the tribal population of their constitutional rights.
He accused the registry office of changing the nature of agricultural land at the time of registration by levying commercial tax on such land without verifying the purpose of purchase of land.
Holding the state government responsible, Munda demanded that all multi-storied residential buildings that came up in violation of the provisions of schedule areas should be demolished.
“The conversion of the nature of land was the major reason behind increasing law and order issues,” he said while pointing to recent killings or attempted murders in Jamshedpur.
If the state government was honest, it should bring out a white paper on the issue and find out the officials responsible for it, Munda said.
The BJP leader also questioned how high-rises came up in the catchment areas of the Swarnarekha and on the foothills of Dalma forest, affecting the elephant corridor near Jamshedpur.
He alleged that criminal activities such as murders and bank robberies have made Jamshedpur a horrible place to live. PTI BS NN
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.