RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Dec.8: A section of Chik Baraik tribal community, whose title is mentioned as Chik or Baraik or Yaduvanshi Chhatri, in the land survey record prepared in 1932 due to some error are being deprived of caste certificates required for job purposes in the central and state governments besides other purposes.
Central general secretary of Chik Baraik Yuva Sangathan, Anup Baraik, told this to Lagatar24.com saying the situation came since 2007 due to wrong research in which it has been mentioned there are five Baraiks in the state and out of five only Chik Baraik has tribal status.
“Though the government rule allows government officials to issue certificates after verifying the caste locally, the same is not being done and over 50000 members of tribal community are deprived of their certificates and missing job opportunities,” Anup said.
Asked Anup how come government stopped issuing certificates since 2013 when it was being issued earlier, he said: “The government made the research report basis after it observed that a section of Baraik sell their land in the capacity of general category and when times come for a reservation the same section take advantage of the tribe,” he said.
Mandar MLA and executive president of Congress Bandhu Tirkey confirmed the situation saying he had participated in the meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue and had decided to raise the issue in the forthcoming assembly session to ensure justice.
“The issue is serious as several genuine persons are deprived of caste certificates. I will ask the government to take the matter seriously and direct officers to handle the matter properly. In case there is a typing error in the record it should be rectified. If the survey is required, it should be done immediately. In no case genuine persons should be deprived of caste certificate,” Tirkey said.
Tirkey said a lot of steps are required to be taken to protect the identity of small tribal groups.
“There are as many as 32 tribes in the state. Out of 32 hardly five including Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Kharia and Ho could come into the mainstream while other tribal communities have yet to get their identity. Thus the issue of caste certificates is important. Proper attention is a must as the reservation is given taking all tribes into consideration while limited tribes are getting advantage of the same. This situation is required to be changed,” Tirkey said.
