In a stark contrast to promises made to displaced tribal communities, prime land around the Statue of Unity in Kevadia is allegedly being distributed to IAS and IPS officers.

High-level officers have begun building luxury bungalows and farmhouses on about 1,000 acres of ancestral tribal land in Narmada district, AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava claims. A part of the acquired land has also been allocated to a star hotel, raising further concerns about the commercialisation of traditional Adivasi land, he added.  

Meanwhile, Adivasis who have lived in the area for generations continue to await the compensation and employment promised to them when the statue was being constructed.

A portion of the acquired land has also been allocated to a star hotel, further raising concerns about commercialisation of tribal territories. 

Vasava says he had sought to raise these issues before Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s Unity Day visit. However, he was not granted an audience, and was also detained by the police, the Dediyapada MLA says.

Notably, Vasava has also previously demanded the “stringent” enforcement of existing reservation policies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

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