Nautod Rights March Begins at Kaza in Lahaul and Spiti, MLA Anuradha Rana Vows to Continue Fight for Tribal Land Rights.
Shimla:
A Nautod Rights March was launched from Kaza headquarters in Lahaul and Spiti district yesterday, with Congress leaders and local residents demanding restoration of Nautod provisions and raising concerns over the Forest Conservation Act (FCA).
The march was led by Lahaul-Spiti MLA, state president of the Tribal Congress and senior Himachal Pradesh Congress spokesperson Anuradha Rana. Hundreds of party workers and members of the public participated in the march, carrying placards and raising slogans in support of land rights.
Addressing the gathering, Rana said Nautod land should not be viewed as charity but as a right of tribal and eligible families. She claimed that after becoming MLA, she had facilitated land allotment to 100 eligible families without discrimination based on political affiliation, religion or other considerations.
Rana said the movement would continue until the last eligible poor family received its due rights. She also said that the rights of local people should not be curtailed in the name of the FCA.
District Congress president Dorje Larje described the issue as a livelihood-related struggle rather than a political one and said Nautod was a matter of public rights. District spokesperson Kuzang Gatuk said the issue concerned the wider population and should be considered above party politics.
Senior leader Sohan Singh alleged that the Congress works to secure people’s rights while the BJP creates obstacles, drawing a political contrast between the two parties.
The march saw participation from district president Dorje Larje, block president Dorje Tsering, youth president Kesang Rapchik, Rajender Karpa, TAC member Chhewang Rigzin, Veer Bhagat, Lobsang, Chhatup Dorje and Gulab Singh, along with other party workers and local residents.
Participants raised slogans including, “Nautod is our right, and we will secure our rights,” as the march moved through Kaza.
