It may be noted here that on the instruction of the Chief Minister, the Home, Excise and Forest & Environment departments reviewed the petty cases registered against the tribal men and women.

After detailed examination, it was decided to withdraw 48,018 cases of the departments.

Among these cases, 36,581 cases under the Excise Department, 9,846 cases under the Housing Department, and 1,591 cases under the Forest & Environment Department have been withdrawn.

Withdrawal of these cases will also reduce the pressure on the courts and the judicial system, the CMO said.

Hundreds of tribals under the banner of Odisha State PESA, Gram Sabha Coordination Committee took out a rally from the Master Canteen Square before staging the demonstration.

Their other demands included implementation of PESA Act in true form and spirit, recognition of Gram Sabha as the decision-making authority, ensuring protection under Odisha State Immovable Property Transfer Act 1956, Regulation-2 and withdrawing the proposed amendment of Regulation-2 as raised in Tribal Advisory Council.

Addressing the gathering, advisor of the Committee Sudarshan Chhotoray, president Budhua Jojo and secretary Panduram Hembrum appealed to both Central and state governments to protect the tribals’ constitutional rights, heritage and culture and empower Gram Sabha as the ultimate decision-making unit at the grassroots level.

Later, a five-member delegation of the tribals submitted a memorandum to Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal and apprised him of their long-standing constitutional rights. The Governor assured them that he would take up the issue with the state government and the Centre.

At present eight of 10 Tribal populous States have enacted this national Act except Jharkhand and Odisha.