ACTION ALERT FROM NORTH BENGAL FORESTS
In the dense semi-evergreen forests of Chilapata in North Bengal Dooars, the Adibasi residents of the forest villages of the area once again face police action because they have challenged the forest department’s hegemonic control over forests and plantation people had helped preserve and raised, working day and night, braving untold misery and mostly working without wages. Chilapata was the first forest area in West Bengal where people belonging to the indigenous Rava and Mech communities, along with Jharkhandi Adibasi settlers had officially proclaimed their governance …