14-Jul-2020
In yet another act of impunity, Adivasis protesting illegal construction on forest land were chased away by hired thugs who allegedly threatened to burn them alive if the Adivasis ever returned to the site. The incident took place in Lilasi village that falls under the jurisdiction of the Muirpur police station in Sonebhadra district of Uttar…
14-Jul-2020
In the aftermath of the violent attack on Van Gujjars of Rajaji National Park, an independent inquiry has been ordered by the Principal Conservator of Forests, Uttarakhand to look into the matter. The All India Union of Forest Working People (AIUFWP), a partner organisation with Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), has made a representation to…
11-Jul-2020
In yet another example of impunity, forest officials in Uttar Pradesh allegedly attacked and even molested Adivasi women belonging to the Tharu tribe, in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. In light of this, CJP and the All India Union of Forest Working People (AIUFWP) have once again approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) demanding action…
29-Jun-2020
CJP and the All India Union of Forest Working People (AIUFWP) have brought to the attention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) a recent instance of blatant violation of legal as well as human rights of Van Gujjars of Dehradun at the hands of police and forest officials. The complaint showcases how the officials not only…
22-Nov-2019
Thousands of Adivasis, Forest Workers, Forest Dwellers and Forest Rights Activists gathered around the parliament, on 21st November, to ask for their land rights, demand the implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006 and protest illegal evictions in light of upcoming hearing in the Supreme Court.
11-Nov-2019
Bhumi Adhikar Andolan, a forest rights collective, held a planning meeting at Indian Social Institute regarding the action planned on November 21, 2019 to have a Sansad Gherao at Sansad Marg, Delhi. The Gherao, along with state, district and village level actions, have been planned to protest violations of people’s rights and dilution of Forest Rights…
31-Oct-2019
On October 29, Assam Public Works (APW) submitted a list of 48 communities to the high-powered committee established to enact Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. It stated that members of these communities are “indigenous Assamese” and, therefore, are eligible for constitutional safeguards under the clause. The Assam Public Works is the original petitioner that…
28-Oct-2019
In August 2014, the Prime Minister’s Office constituted a High-Level Committee (HLC) with Prof. Virginius Xaxa as Chairperson. In its Terms of Reference (TOR), the Committee was mandated “to examine the socioeconomic, educational and health status of tribal communities and recommend appropriate interventional measures to improve the same”. The Report comprises thematic sections based on…
28-Oct-2019
The Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill, 2005 sought to recognise forest rights of forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDSTs) who have been occupying the land before October 25, 1980. This Bill did not recognise communities which depend on the forest for their survival and livelihood but don’t constitute forest dwellers or Scheduled Tribes. After…
22-Oct-2019
The Bombay Natural History Society, the Wildlife Trust of India, the All Assam Tribal Youth League, and the Wildlife Society of Orissa filed a Writ Petition against challenging the validity of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (the FRA), particularly its Chapter II and III concerning forest rights…