The Hindu : Entry to Muthanga banned

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 16, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Entry to Muthanga banned

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, FEB. 15. In view of the first anniversary of the Muthanga uprising on February 19, the Forest and Wildlife Department has prohibited the entry of tourists into the Muthanga wildlife sanctuary in Wayanad district from February 16 to 21.

The decision was taken by forest officials after considering the possibility of some untoward incident taking place in the wildlife sanctuary on the anniversary of the Muthanga incident. An Adivasi and a police constable had died during the eviction operations last year.

Officials said that they had information that activists of the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha had visited the tribal colonies near Muthanga during the past few days. About 15 activists had also visited the spot inside the sanctuary where the police action had taken place in February last. Posters that appeared at Sulthan Bathery and adjoining areas had alerted the officials.

Several Adivasis organisations had planned to observe the first anniversary at Muthanga. But forest officials said that none of them had sought permission for this purpose. " Even if they had approached us for permission to organise a programme at Muthanga, we would have refused for security reasons, '' an official said.

Reports on the activities of various Adivasi and Dalit outfits have been already forwarded to senior officials in Thiruvananthapuram. Security would be tightened at Muthanga in the coming days, he said.

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