Baripada: A report about an alleged bid at the government level to bifurcate Mayurbhanj has led to discontent among tribals in various parts of the district.
Protesting the alleged move, hundreds of tribals under the banner of Mayurbhanj Zilla Mula Aadivasi Ebam Swartha Surakhya Samiti, a conglomeration of tribal outfits, staged a demonstration in front of the collectorate Thursday.
Tribal leaders like Budhia Jojo, Panduram Hembram, Sunaram Soren, Nubaram, Dularam Murmu, Paramananda Munda, Santosh Oram, Jateswar Murmu, Santosh Hembram, Dasarath Marandi, Upendranath Marandi and Basant Mohant submitted a memorandum addressed to President Ram Nath Kovind through the district administration.
The Samiti members alleged that a plan is being hatched to divide the district into two parts.
The agitating tribals warned the government against carrying out an adventurous step of dividing the district and demanded that all civic bodies be dissolved and the district be declared an autonomous one under the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act.
They clamoured that all rules and regulations dealing with the tribal welfare be strictly implemented in the district.
Surprisingly, they pitched in for placing the district directly under the President rule.
Instead of dividing the district, the government should work for welfare of tribals, they shouted.
The tribals warned of taking to the streets if their demands were not met.
PNN