Congress Accuses Modi Government of Exploiting Tribal Lands for Great Nicobar Project

Vikrant Bhuria of the Congress party has criticized the Modi-led administration, accusing it of using national security as a pretext to take over tribal lands for the Great Nicobar project. He claims this plan harms indigenous communities and threatens their resources and cultural identity.

The Congress party has sharply criticized the Modi administration, branding it as 'anti-tribal' in light of the proposed Great Nicobar project. Vikrant Bhuria from the Adivasi Congress claims the initiative is a facade for plundering tribal resources and displacing communities under the guise of national security.

Bhuria argues that the government intends to exploit the mineral wealth of the tribal areas, threatening the environmental balance and indigenous rights. He highlights the potential ecological damages, including widespread deforestation in protected regions and the risk posed to the Shompen tribe, whose population is already critically low.

Concerns about the planned influx of outsiders into Great Nicobar and infrastructural developments like townships and casinos were raised. Bhuria warned about potential seismic and climate-related impacts on the island, which serves a critical role in India's monsoon system.

Further, Bhuria criticized moves related to the Uniform Civil Code and tribal community delisting, viewing these as threats to tribal identity and constitutional protections. Allegations were made against the government's manipulation of tribal demographics to weaken their political representation and reservation entitlements.