SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council (MPHRC), a human rights organisation, has termed the proposed Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill 2019 as “a tool of state abuse, oppression and discrimination” for a small state like Meghalaya.
The MPHRC Chairman, Dino DG Dympep, in a statement issued here, said that the draft bill will significantly increase the policing and discretionary powers of forest officers against the tribal communities in the state.
The draft bill introduces a new provision to allow forest bureaucracy to use firearms for prevention of offence under the Act or under the Wildlife Act, with certain offences being non-bailable.
The draft amendments also sanction the forest officials to shoot people without any liability, with the same legal protection in line with the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 applicable in “disturbed areas”.
“It will restore higher management powers and provide veto powers to the forest bureaucracy that may lead to grave human rights violations such as extra judicial killings and disappearances, if adopted,” said MPHRC.
The council also further explained that the immunity is being given “to prevent forest offence” and would be in addition to the immunity granted under section 197 of the CrPC to certain kind of public servants adding that the amendments will also permit an arrest without a warrant where entering a forest will constitute a forest offence with the accused being detained on suspicious grounds.
“The draft states that the government could take away the rights of the tribal communities and other forest dwellers if the government feels it is not in line with conservation of the proposed reserved forest.
The central government will also overrule the state government if there is a contradiction on how the authorities believe the forests should be utilised,” the council said.
Holding the Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2019 as “anti-tribal”, the council alleged that the draft bill in its present form is nothing but a contradiction to the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.
It also infringes the basic human rights and collective rights of the tribal communities who depend on forest products, the MPHRC said.
“The state government must take serious measures to ensure that the current 123-page document draft is completely withdrawn,” the council said.
