Betwixt Development and Discontent

The book throws light on important dimensions of tribal development and discontent among the tribes who are living in the south-eastern sub-region of east-west part of Uttar Pradesh. It includes the whole Sonbhadra district and adjoining subdivisions of Mirzapur and Chandauli, Allahabad and Chitrakoot. The area is contiguous with tri-junction of the vast country’s tribal region lying in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. They have emerged as the main theater of Naxal activities. The question of appropriate tribal-centred development hardly ever arises at the policy plans. What kind of development appears to be the more pertinent issue? There is seeming paradox inherent in the situation because, if we look at the tribals lying in Uttar Pradesh, we find that there is relatively more manifest unrest and rebellion in the more developed South-Eastern section, i.e. Naugarh (Chandauli) alongwith Sonbhadra, than in the Western Sector, i.e. Southern portion of Mirzapur, Allahabad and Chitrakoot districts. Why tribes of this region have not been able to come at par with rest of the society even after more than Twelve Five Year Plans? Why should there be relatively greater unrest and protest in the relatively more developed parts of this elongated geographic regions? This brings in the question of the type of ‘Mainstream’ development. This sub-section has witnessed since 1950s, extensive mining, string of large scale industries, roads and other infrastructural investments which is itself a major causes of Dalit unrest. These development programmes induced displacement, involuntary migration and resettlement and land alienation are the most important causes of their illiteracy, poverty and enormous problems. Scholars of Sociology, Anthroplogy and Philonthropy will find the book informative and useful. They will understand the real causes of their discontent and why they are in cluch of Naxalites, whose distructive and mass killing activities have threatened the national law and order and development programmes of the country.