Process to drop cases against tribals begins

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has started the process for withdrawal of cases against tribals lodged in various jails of the State. Official sources said that the process will be completed by month-end.  Cases are likely to be withdrawn against 153 tribals booked in eight cases. The Maoists had demanded withdrawal of cases against around 800 tribals and their release during the abduction of the then Malkangiri collector R Vineel Krishna. All the cases to be withdrawn are from Narayanpatna, Laxmipur and Rourkela with involvement of 67, 78  and eight tribals respectively.  The Government lawyers in these districts have been asked to examine the eight cases, Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik told mediapersons.The State Government  had earlier started the  process of withdrawing minor cases against tribals. More than a thousand minor cases have already been withdrawn.