Bhubaneswar: Seeking safety and security of Odisha-origin adivasis living in Assam, a group of tribals led by Sports Minister Sudam Marandi today met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seeking his intervention in the matter.
Marandi, who is also the minister of state for tribal welfare, led a group of tribal students and leaders to Patnaik and apprised him of the condition of Odisha-origin adivasis in Assam.
"A large number of tribals hailing from Mayurbhanj, Sundergarh and Sambalpur have migrated to Assam and living there for over 100 years. Some of them have been victim to the militant attacks," Marandi said adding that he was in touch with the tribals in Assam.
He said the tribals having traditional knowledge in tea cultivation shifted to Assam to work there. They mostly belonged to Santhal, Ho and Munda communities who fight for tribal status in Assam.
Marandi demanded a compensation of Rs 20 lakh each for the families who lost their members in the attacks.
Over 70 adivasi people were massacred by NDFB(S) insurgents in Kokrajhar, Sonitpur and Chirang districts of Assam.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, who hailed from Odisha and is also a tribal, has been camping in Assam to monitor the situation there.