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Attack on tribals draws flak

Staff Correspondent

Chief Minister to visit the trouble spot and take necessary action soon

BHOPAL: Members cutting across party lines expressed concern in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Thursday over a recent attack on villagers in the Bijadandi police station area of Mandla district by Gondwana Mukti Sena (GMS). Three BJP MLAs, Shivraj Shah, Dulichand Uraiti and Devsingh Saiyam, all representing Scheduled Tribes constituencies, raised the issue through a calling attention.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan shared their concern and said the Government would take action against the activities of GMS. He said the Government was keeping an eye on the situation and assured the House that GMS would not be allowed to carry out its activities.

Responding to the demand for constituting a House panel to probe the issue, Mr. Singh said he would visit the troubled spot and take necessary action.

The Leader of Opposition, Jamuna Devi, said the tribals would find it difficult to lead a normal life if the GMS became active in areas affected by the naxalite menace. She said the tribals had always worshipped and remained devoted to Lord Rama. She said this in response to the calling attention notice which stated that GMS was threatening the tribals to stop worshipping Lord Rama.

Responding to the calling attention notice, the State Minister for Home, Nagendra Singh, admitted in the House that a meeting had been convened in the name of Gondwana Mukti Sena at Khanoura village falling under the Bijadandi police station of Mandla district on March 16. Since some villagers, including one Sahan Singh, did not attend the meeting, the agitated GMS workers attacked Mr. Singh and some of his family members causing injuries to at least 9 persons, both men and women.

The Minister informed the House that a case was registered against one Bihari Lal Gaur and eight others. Since Police investigations revealed that women's modesty had been violated and religious feelings were hurt, section 153 (a) of IPC was added to the case and five persons were arrested.

The Minister told the House that on March 17, a police team had left for the spot on receiving information that more than 100 GMS activists, armed with lathis and weapons, had started gathering at Bargaon. When the team reached the village, they were surrounded and attacked by over 600 armed GMS men. The police vehicle was damaged and 24 policemen were injured. The police fired 25 rounds in self-defence and the situation was brought under control.

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Attack on tribals draws flak

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