Karnataka   

Hope is the only strength for them

Groundtruth

PITIABLE LIFE: A woman heating water at Ekalavyanagar on the outskirts of Mysore. — PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

THE COLONIAL legacy of condemning nomadic groups to a life in seclusion, outside the sphere of civilization, continues to torment more than 400 tribal families residing at Ekalavyanagar on the outskirts of Mysore.

Though the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, soon after Independence, repealed the colonial legislation, labelling these groups as "criminals", in a bid to integrate them into the mainstream of society, these tribal families continue to lead sub-human lives in virtual wilderness away from the civilisation.

The inhabitants comprising men, women and children belonging to nomadic groups like Hakki Pikki, Dombi Dasa, Budabudaki, Soligaru and Kolebasavaru lead a pitiable life in thatched huts without any access to electricity supply or proper drinking water. The settlement is also deprived of schools and medical facilities.

These tribal groups, which had been roaming through forests and hills since generations, pitched tent in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office in Mysore a couple of years ago seeking accommodation in the city. But, the authorities put them up on a vacant piece of "disputed" land on the road to KRS reservoir.

The recent death of two young women due to consumption of contaminated water brought the living conditions of people in Ekalavyanagar under sharp focus. Several politicians made a beeline for the settlement promising the marginalised inhabitants basic amenities, including electricity and water supply.

While the entire city of Mysore receives water treated at Vani Vilas Water Works, the residents of Ekalavyanagar receive "raw and untreated" water drawn from the pumping station at Hongalli, exposing them to serious health risk.

One of the women who died after drinking contaminated water at Ekalavyanagar was acutely malnourished and anaemic after giving birth to four children in five years. The drinking water requirements of more than 1,000 people, who live in the settlement, are being presently met by two borewells, of which one is understood to be malfunctioning.

A three-member delegation representing the National Commission for Denotified Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes visited Ekalavyanagar a couple of months ago and painted a rainbow of hope for the tribal inhabitants. assured them all basic amenities, including housing. "We are yet to hear from the commission. The members said they would send the recommendations to the State Government. We are yet to hear from them", Deputy Commissioner Selva Kumar told The Hindu.

Laiqh A. Khan in Mysore

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