Kamar community begins indefinite hunger strike in Gariaband

Gariyaband | Correspondent: Members of the Kamar community, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), launched an indefinite hunger strike in Gariyaband district, demanding forest rights, protection of constitutional safeguards and better access to basic services.

The protest began after a large rally from Tonhi Nala to the Adivasi Bhavan in Majarkatta. Thousands of people, including women, youth and elderly residents from the Nawagarh, Bhathigarh and Kandadongar areas, participated in the demonstration.

Bansingh Shori, National President of the Kamar community, is leading the agitation. Several local leaders and community representatives, including District Panchayat member Lokeshwari Netam, members of the Udanti Gram Sabha Federation and village representatives from affected areas, attended the gathering.

Addressing the rally, protesters from the Kamar, Gond and Bhunjia communities alleged harassment by forest officials, false cases against villagers and the continued lack of basic facilities such as roads, electricity, drinking water, healthcare and education in tribal areas.

Community members said activities such as fishing, carrying bows and arrows, using axes and following traditional forest-based lifestyles are part of their culture and identity and should not be treated as criminal activities or poaching.

The protesters also accused the Forest Department of filing false forest offence cases against more than 38 members of the Kamar community. They demanded that all charge sheets and related documents be made public, that the cases be withdrawn and that Kamar and other forest-dependent communities stop being labelled as encroachers. They further sought copies of Property Offence Reports (PORs) related to the alleged encroachments and questioned what action was taken against officials who were on duty at the time. According to the community, satellite imagery alone cannot be treated as sufficient proof of encroachment.

The tribal groups also highlighted the poor state of healthcare and public services in the region. They demanded a public report on maternal and infant deaths, as well as deaths linked to malnutrition, anaemia, malaria and fever over the past two years. They called for the immediate provision of healthcare, education, roads, electricity, drinking water and ration facilities in affected villages.

Among their key demands are recognition of Gram Sabha rights, full implementation of the Fifth Schedule, the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and the Forest Rights Act (FRA), and time-bound resolution of pending claims and grievances.

Speakers at the rally said the movement would continue until their demands are addressed. The protesters raised slogans such as "We do not recognize the NTCA; we know our constitutional rights," "Our forest, our right; our Constitution, our honour," and "Tribals will not be displaced; we will secure our rights."