Legal process begins; intial hearing held before sub-divisional officer
Legal process begins; intial hearing held before sub-divisional officer
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Hopeful: Bhau Pandu Jadhva and his wife Thumabai. Pic/Vivek Sabnis
Patil said he would issue notices to Lavasa and agents who purchased land from the tribal. "Legally Lavasa has a right to know and we are also giving it an opportunity to present its arguments," Patil said. "If the tribals can prove that they are adivasis by furnishing valid documents and certificates, then only their land shall be returned to them," he said.
As per the current land rules, the land that was given to the landless tribal to help them earn a living can not be sold to anybody. These tribal farmers can only sell it to farmers. Lavasa is a private company and is not eligible to buy land from the tribals. Earlier, Balasaheb Thorat, the state revenue minister, announced that tribals can get back their land if they provided valid doucments.
"For the first time, we have been invited by a government officer to present our side of the story," said Bhau Pandu Walhekar, who was one of the first to protest against the unfair methods employed by Lavasa. His wife Thumabai said Lavasa had chopped many of their trees to make way for roads. "We have lost over 40 mango trees. Fortunately, we have been staying on the land and undertaking small-scale farming to earn our livelihood. The work by Lavasa has also reduced the ground water-level," she said.
Lahanu Bhiku Jadhav, another adivasi, said the tribals had been promised Rs 10,000 by an agent from Lavasa, but no money has been forthcoming until now. "We have still not given up and hope to get back our land if the government keeps its promise," he said.u00a0
"Yes it is a positive beginning and they have to fight their own battles for their land," said Mohan Wadekar, a lawyer who filed papers for the tribals. "This shall give a clear picture whether the state is serious about giving back the adivasis their land or is just making tall promises. It is a difficult battle for us as Lavasa can take the matter to the high court or Supreme Court to stretch the issue."u00a0
Suniti Su Ra, National Convener of National Alliance of People's Movements, said it was a positive sign that the government had set the legal process in motion and given the adivasis a chance to prove their claims to land. "This is a tedious process as many ofu00a0 the tribals don't have the papers or certificates to prove. We also have to present documents belonging to their forefathers to strengthen their stand," she said.
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