Team Herald

ponda: While addressing media persons along with its members, United Tribal Association Alliance (UTTA) President Prakash Velip said they will make an effort with the government for removal of police cases filed against Melauli villagers.

“Tribals in Goa are fighting for their land rights and UTTA is committed to giving justice to them. In a democracy, the Citizens have the right to fight for their rightful demand. The tribal people are the original settlers of Goa,” he added.

With regard to reservation for Postgraduate students at GMC,he said some people from other communities approached the court against this reservation. He requested them to cooperate with these people for development of ST, SC and OBC. He also pointed out how the government gave 10% reservation for the economically backward and nobody had objected to it.

Velip also announced that the new UTTA Committee has been elected under his leadership and the installation function will be held at Ravindra Bhavan Margao on February 5 at 3 pm. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and UTAA convenor, Minister Govind Gaude will be attending the same. Velip added that there would be seminars and talks with resource people on the rights of tribal people, forest rights etc.

He also revealed that there will be a survey of the tribal community of Goa shortly. He urged the ST community to register themselves without fail.