“It has been more than three months now that we have launched our movement but the main demand — apology from the policemen who committed atrocities on us — has not been met,” said Chhatradhar Mahato, secretary of the committee, at a press conference on Thursday.

“The CPM government, along with the police, is threatening us constantly to give up our agitations. They are oppressing us in every possible way. We have decided to carry on our mass movement in a bigger and organised manner,” he added.

Mahato said the district committees will be organising rallies and protest meetings all over the state to make people aware of the issues.

He further said these district committees will form a central committee of the adivasis by February, which will further decide on the next course of action. Till then the movements will carry on and if the situation demands the leader also threatened of road blockades and felling of trees again.

Social activist Mahasweta Devi showed her solidarity with the movement started by the tribals. She said the protests were an outburst against the age-old oppression by the ruling political party.