No one can usurp tribal land: PM Narendra Modi

DUMKA (JHARKHAND): Asserting that welfare of the tribals can only strengthen the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said no one can usurp tribal land and that his government is committed for their welfare.

"No one can snatch tribal land..welfare of the tribals can only strengthen the country," Modi told an election meeting here.

Apparently referring to the allegations by some parties that the BJP would change the Chhota Nagpur Tenancy and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Acts that protect tribal land, Modi said the opposition was lying and spreading rumours.

"It was the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government that had set up tribal welfare ministery with a separate minister and budget," Modi said and referred how tribal-populated states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh installed BJP governments, showing their trust on the party.

Modi was addressing an election meeting here ahead of the fifth and final phase of polling in 16 seats across Santhal Pargana region on December 20.

Attacking the JMM and the Congress without taking names of the parties or their leaders, supremo Shibu Soren and Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Modi said neither the "hand" nor the "arrow" would be allowed to "place" or "strike" the "coffers" of the people.

"Throw out the looters by giving the BJP a two-third majority for providing stability in Jharkhand. People of Jharkhand have voted heavily in the previous four phases and should continue so," Modi said.

He said the state has so much of coal that could illuminate the country, "but is itself in darkness".

In the background of Santhal Pargana facing the migration problem, Modi reiterated that his endeavour was to create job opportunities locally so that migration stopped and the youth could stay on with their families.