Gajapati, Sep 17 (ANI): Tribal people from Maoist-hit areas organized a rally in Odisha, protesting against dilution of Forest Rights. A landmark law recognizing the rights of India's tribes over forest land may be diluted to clear the way for infrastructure projects such as roads, railway lines, electricity towers and irrigation canals, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram had said. Thousands of tribal converged in Gajapati district and shouted slogans against the move. An activist, Haribandhu Karji, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government was trying to take away rights of tribes. Activists say the move indicates how the pro-business policies of recently elected Modi could hurt the environment and poor communities, including indigenous people.
