CMAS leader on hunger strike

KORAPUT:  CHASI Muliya Adivasi Sangha (CMAS) leader, Nachika Linga, who is currently lodged in Koraput Circle Jail, began his indefinite hunger strike on Friday demanding fulfillment of his nine-point charter of demands that he had submitted to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in April this year.

CPI (Maoist) leader Cheda Bhusan alias Ghasi and another 14 members of CMAS also joined Linka in his agitation, supporting his demands that included speedy disposal of cases against him. His other demands are release of CMAS supporters who were arrested on false charges, construction of roads and canals in Bandhugaon and Narayanpatna blocks, handing over of tribal lands occupied by non-tribals, distribution of land to the landless, appointment of teachers in schools and other developmental activities in the two blocks.

In April, he had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the jail superintendent over the demands. Following this, a meeting was convened on May 13 by DIG (South-Western) S Shyni in presence of ADM Ekadashi Jena, SP Charan Sing Mina, Laxmipur SDPO Hemanta Padhi, Excise Superintendent R Patra, Naryanpatna and Bandhugaon BDOs and block chairpersons. Since his demands were not fulfilled, he started an indefinite fast on Friday, said his lawyer, Gupteswar Panigrahi.

However, Circle Jail Superintendent Pullin Bihari Mahapatra said the office did not receive any information about the strike from the tribal leader.

Source : http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/CMAS-leader-on-hunger-strike/2016/08/27/article3598983.ece