Book launch in Koraput sparks dialogue on tribal struggles and land rights

Tears rolled down the cheeks of Nachika Linga, former president of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS), as the book "Ujaani Jhanjavati" by author Nigamananda Shadangi was officially released in Koraput.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

The emotionally charged event drew widespread attention and sparked compelling discussions on the historical and ongoing struggles of tribal communities in the Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon regions over land rights and social justice.

The book, a result of in-depth interactions with individuals involved in the land rights movement in these areas, documents a pivotal chapter in the tribal history of Koraput. It sheds light on the marginalization faced by tribal communities and their resilient fight for dignity and land.

The highlight of the event was the deeply personal and emotional account shared by Nachika Linga. "I was a bonded labourer," he revealed. "My father mortgaged me for Rs. 60 a year due to an unpaid loan. Though I longed for education, our harvests were taken away as loan interest, leaving us destitute. We started questioning why tribals had to become bonded labourers on our own land."