Naxalism stalled development in tribal areas: Kishan

metro india news  I hyderabad

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy has alleged that Naxalites had obstructed development in tribal areas for decades and said the Narendra Modi government had paved the way for progress by eliminating the extremists.

He said the Centre was committed to rehabilitating people who had suffered at the hands of Naxalites and completely eradicating Naxalism to ensure development in tribal regions. The Telangana BJP ST Morcha organised a rally on Sunday to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day). The rally began at the Swami Vivekananda statue on Tank Bund and proceeded towards the Komaram Bheem statue.

Kishan Reddy, BJP State president N. Ramchander Rao, MPs Dr K. Laxman and Eatala Rajender, and other leaders participated in the rally and paid tributes to Birsa Munda at the Komaram Bheem statue.

Speaking to the media, Kishan Reddy recalled that he had witnessed an important historical moment during his tenure as Union Minister for Culture. The old Central Jail in Ranchi, where the British had imprisoned Birsa Munda, was transformed into a grand memorial museum commemorating his sacrifices, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the museum to the nation on November 15, 2021, on the occasion of Birsa Munda's birth anniversary. Kishan Reddy said he had personally attended the inauguration in Ranchi.

He expressed concern that for nearly 75 years, government officials had failed to visit several remote tribal hamlets and welfare schemes had not reached their residents effectively. Under Modi's leadership, several initiatives were being implemented for the development of tribal regions and the welfare of tribal women and families, he said. Free ration supplies, infrastructure, education and housing facilities were helping improve the living standards of tribal communities, he added.

BRS, Congress failed to honour promises: Ramchander Rao

BJP State president N. Ramchander Rao accused both the previous BRS government and the present Congress government of betraying tribal communities by failing to fulfil their promises. Questioning the status of assurances made on the Podu land issue, he demanded the immediate regularisation of Podu lands. He also pointed to delays in increasing and implementing ST reservations and urged the State government to honour its commitments to tribal communities.

Recalling Birsa Munda's contribution to the freedom struggle, Ramchander Rao said he had fought courageously against British rule for the rights of Jal, Jangal, Zameen (water, forests and land). He said Birsa Munda had waged a relentless struggle to protect the rights of Adivasis and tribal communities in the erstwhile Bihar region, now Jharkhand, and had earned a revered place in their hearts.