Raipur: On December 27, two BSF (Border Security Force) camps were opened at Koliabeda in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. Since the opening of the camps, thousands of people from around 103 villages in the region have been protesting against the government with a demand for the BSF camps to be moved out. Besides, at least 50 panchayat body representatives, including 38 sarpanchs, have resigned showing protest against the installation of the new BSF camps.
According to the tribal population residing in the area, the government did not seek permission before setting up the camps; moreover, the government has barged in to install camps in the area that the local tribal people consider to be belonging to the local tribal deities. Also, the area allegedly falls under the PESA (Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act.
A tribal leader named Tillu Ram Usendi stated – “Since Wednesday, we have been protesting here but nothing positive came out. Senior officials came for talks but they have not given any assurance. On Sunday, at least 38 sarpanchs, seven Janpad panchayat members, one deputy sarpanch and one Zila panchayat member submitted their resignations and demanded action”.
One of the protesting villagers alleged, “The camps of Katgaon and Kamdera are affecting the tribals’ faith. We are demanding that the camps should be removed from the area because it comes under the PESA Act and permission of villagers is needed”.