Prakash Karat blames UPA's policy for rise of Maoists, tribal misery

BHUBANESWAR: The CPI(M) today held the UPA government's economic policy responsible for the suffering of tribal people and rise of Maoism in the country.

"Following the neo-liberal regime, natural resources are being looted and tribals fall prey to it. While tribals suffer due to loss of forests, Maoists take advantage of the resentment of adivasis," CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told the second national convention of Adivasi Adhikar Rastriya Manch here.

Stating that the UPA government from 2004-13, has diverted 2.43 lakh hectare of forest land for different projects, Karat said tribal people were the ultimate sufferers.

Referring to the large-scale illegal mining in Odisha, he said the tribal people were again victims of such a practise.

While mine owners earned money, tribal people faced different problems.

Karat also blamed BJP and RSS for dividing tribal people on various issues and trying to create conflict in the name of religion.