Kerala tribals threaten repeat of Nandigram

The United Progressive Alliance Government (UPA) at the Centre is on the brink of another flashpoint, in another Left-ruled state.

For, tribal activists in Kerala, which is under the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government, have threatened a spate of violence like in Nandigram, if the Centre does not intervene immediately and restore tribals' land rights in the state.

The tribal activists are camping in Delhi and agitation against the land bought by the former Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Government in Kerala.

The UDF purchased the land in Aralam in northern part of the state for Rs 42 crore from the Centre. Tribal Sub Plan funds were used for the purchase.

The 7,500-acre land was to be transferred to the tribals who form three per cent of the state's population. However the UDF Government decided to part with only 3,500 acres, Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha activist M Geetanandan said today, warning that if this "injustice" was not set right, then a "Nandigram was likely to be repeated in Kerala".

The present LDF Government was toying with the idea of using the remaining 4,000 acres for industrial or tourism purposes, said tribal activists Geetanandan and CK Janu.

The tribals in Kerala had been promised up to five acres for each family by the AK Antony-led UDF Government. While 60,000 families were supposed to benefit from the UDF programme, land was granted to only 5,000 families, Geetanandan said.

The activists from Kerala lament that while in Nandigram and Chhattisgarh people are being dispossessed, tribals are being denied their right to own land in Kerala.

These tribals were being supported by social activist and Magsaysay awardee Medha Patkar, apart from activists from across the country. These activists have also joined the tribals from the southern state in their Delhi agitation.