INDIANS REACT AGAINST NEGLECT OF THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION
The death of a six-year-old indigenous girl was the straw that
broke the camel's back and led to a crisis in the Krikati area in the
municipality of Montes Altos, state of Maranhao. Fed up with the lack
of assistance, the invasion of their lands, and the hostility of the
population of neighbouring towns, the Indians decided to draw
society's attention by setting fire to and melting the foundations of
two electric power transmission towers of the Tucurui power plant,
belonging to Centrais Eletricas do Norte (Eletronorte), on the border
with the state of Para. The Krikati are demanding the demarcation of
146,000 hectares, for which they have been fighting for 30 years.
Brandishing bows and arrows, they say they will not be deceived any
longer and that they will only leave the site of the conflict after
being assured that their land will be demarcated.
The action of the Indians on Saturday (February 8) caused a cut in
the provision of electric power in part of the municipalities of
Imperatriz and Presidente Dutra in the state of Maranhao. They
complain that Funai's office in Sao Luiz, capital of the state, had
been informed many times that their lands had been invaded but did
nothing about it. A commission made up of representatives of Funai,
Eletronorte, the Land Reform Institute (Incra), the Ministry of
Justice, and the Government of Maranhao is negotiating with the
Indians in the conflict area. The acting president of the Republic,
Marco Maciel, determined that the land in question is to be urgently
demarcated, but the presidency of Funai argues that it only depends on
a decision of the Ministry of Justice. Deputy Gilney Vianna, chairman
of the Consumer Defense, Environment and Minorities Commission told
the press that he will summon Eletronorte's chairman to provide
explanations on the indemnification and the problem with the Krikati.
The date of this audience has not been fixed so far.
XOKLENG FORCE OPENING OF DAM GATES TO PRESSURE GOVERNMENT
On Monday, February 10, about 500 Xokleng Indians who live in the
Duque de Caxias indigenous area surprised the country by forcing the
opening of two of the four gates of Barragem do Norte (North Dam),
located in the municipality of Jose Boiteux, state of Santa Catarina.
They had been threatening to open the gates since February 3 as a
means to pressure for a quicker solution to their problem. The Indians
have camped close to the gates to demand an indemnification for the
expropriation of 856 hectares in their land to be occupied by the
reservoir of the dam. In addition to the indemnification, the Indians
are demanding the building of roads, a bridge, 188 houses for the
community and a church and also the expansion of the local school and
the implementation of an electric power network, according to promises
made by the federal administration in exchange for the expropriation.
The Xokleng complain that 300 hectares were flooded, their crops
were destroyed, and at least 200 Indians were isolated because of the
water that is covering the area. The North Dam was inaugurated in 1992
with the aim of avoiding floods in neighbouring towns and if it rains
heavily in the next few days, the opening of the gates may lead to the
flooding of at least six towns located in the region. The vice-governor
of the state, Jose Augusto Hulse, asked the Federal Police for reinforce-
ments to help him drive the Indians out of the dam area.
Brasilia, 14 February 1997
Indianist Missionary Council - Cimi