Tribal Groups March to Raj Bhavan, Demand PESA Act Enforcement in Jharkhand

Ranchi: Tribal organisations in Jharkhand staged a large protest on Monday, demanding the immediate implementation of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, or PESA Act. Demonstrators, including members of the Central Sarna Committee, walked nearly 120 km from Gumla to Ranchi and submitted a memorandum to the Governor after a demonstration outside Raj Bhavan.

Bablu Munda, President of the Central Sarna Committee, accused the government of neglecting tribal issues, despite having a tribal Chief Minister. He said land, forest, and water rights are being increasingly violated.

Social activist Nisha Bhagat said that although the PESA Act was passed in 1996, Jharkhand has failed to implement it. She warned that continued inaction could force tribal groups to take extreme steps, including self-immolation.

Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi echoed these concerns, accusing the government of stalling the Act for political reasons, fearing that empowering Gram Sabhas could disrupt vote-bank politics.

Protesters warned of a broader statewide agitation if their demands are not addressed.

With inputs from IANS