FRIDAY, 15 JUNE 2012
23:39
SUDHIR MISHRA |
BALANGIR
HITS: 18
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While repeated incidents of burning of kendu leaf godowns in
Balangir district has raised questions about the prospects of livelihood of the
poor kendu leaf pluckers who are mostly tribals, sources indicated that the
insane act may not be that of Maoists but of some unscrupulous leaf traders
with a motive or of forest officials angling for gains.
The sources said that investigations by the police point
to the involvement of unscrupulous traders, and not Maoists, who are serving
their own interests in the burning of godowns in the name of the ultras. The
Balangir District Forestry Forum is confused over the identity of the culprits.
They are suspecting the hand of corrupt officials with a design to cover up
their irregularities and fish in troubled waters.
Kulamani Sahu of Balangir District Forestry Forum said the
burning of kedu leaf godowns allegedly by Maoists is not going to provide the
desired benefit to the poor kendu leaf pluckers.
Once a godown is burned down, there is little possibility
of the Government reconstructing the godown at the same place and providing
work to the pluckers in that area next year.
The forum has appealed to those who are indulging in
burning of the kendu leaf godowns to not resort to such mindless acts that
would tell upon the livelihoods of the poor workers.
Moreover, there should be a proper inquiry into the
burning incident as this might be the handiwork of unscrupulous forest
officials who might be trying to cover up irregularities by taking the name of
Maoists, Sahu said.
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