Marandi seeks Naveen’s help for Odisha-origin adivasis in Assam

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Dec 26, 2014 at 10:13 AM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 26:

Odisha Sports Minister Sudam Marandi Thursday sought Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s intervention on the safety and security of Odisha- origin adivasis living in Assam.

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The Sports Minister who is also the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs led a group of tribal students and apprised Chief Minister Patnaik of the condition of Odisha-origin adivasis living in Assam.

Marandi said a large number of tribals hailing from Mayurbhanj, Sundergarh and Sambalpur had migrated to Assam as long as 100 years and are living there and some of them have been victims of militant attacks adding that he was in touch with them.

He said tribals mostly belonging to the Santhal, Ho and Munda communities who had traditional knowledge of tea cultivation had migrated to Assam long back to work there in tea estates and are fighting for tribal status there.

Marandi demanded a compensation of Rs 20 lakh each for the families who have lost their men in the attacks on adivasis by Bodo militants.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister who also hails from Odisha and is a tribal himself is camping in Assam to monitor the situation there following the attacks in which at least 70 adivasis have been massacred.