Thiruvananthapuram:
CPI-M led LDF opposition members in Kerala Assembly staged a walkout on Wednesday protesting alleged government indifference towards the 52-day long agitation by tribals in Wayanad for land.
Raising the issue of land rights agitation of tribals, former Tribal Welfare minister A K Balan said the stir in 40 locations in the forest areas of Wayanad had reached a very crucial stage and more than 200 tribals including some women were arrested by police.
He wanted the government to take steps to release the poor tribals on bail without any condition. They do not have anything to execute as bond, he added.
Stating that more than 7,000 tribals in the area were without land, Balan charged the government with not taking steps to provide land to the landless tribals.
Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash denied the opposition allegation and described the stir as politically motivated. "CPI-M is using the poor triabls as a shield to attack the government," he charged.
He said the government had decided to purchase land from private parties in the area for assigning to tribals.
Before leading the walkout, leader of the opposition V S Achuthanandan wanted the government to take steps for providing land to the tribals and said Opposition was not satisfied with the initiatives taken.