The Hindu : National : NGOs condemn police action against tribals

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Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007
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National

National

NGOs condemn police action against tribals

Staff Correspondent

M.P. Government is firm that no fresh encroachment on forestland will be allowed

BHOPAL: Last week's pitched battle between police, forest and district authorities, on the one side, and alleged encroachers, on the other, on forestland near Ghateha village in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district has drawn protests. While non-governmental organisations and people's groups have condemned the use of force against forest dwellers, the Government is firm that no fresh encroachment will be tolerated.

Activists of people's organisations, in a statement at a press conference here on Monday, said the police attacked and opened fire on tribals, six of whom received bullet injuries. Over 250 others had been missing since the April 19 incident, the statement claimed.

The signatories included Ramesh Chandra Shukla of the Rashtriya Van Jan Shramjivi Morcha, Manohar Kothekar of the New Trade Union Incentive, Vijay Bhai of the Abhiyan Jungle Jeevan Suraksh, Anil Garg of the Madhya Pradesh Van Abhiyan, Rashida Bee of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationary Karmchari Sangh, Sushil Bhai of the Samajwadi Jan Parishad and Madhuri of the Jagrut Adivasi Dalit Sangathan.

When contacted, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests V.R. Khare said it was a case of fresh encroachments. The authorities had on April 12-13 and April 17 tried to remove the encroachers, but they were chased away. The first time, there were only a few encroachers. But when a larger Forest Department team went again, the number of encroachers had swelled, and it had to retreat under attack by tribals.

On April 19, there was heavy stone throwing as a strong force, comprising police and forest personnel, led by the Sub-divisional Magistrate and the SDO Police, attempted to clear the encroachments. The police had to burst teargas shells and fire several rounds in the air to disperse the mob, Mr. Khare said. Six policemen were injured, one of them seriously.

The next day, when the Collector and the Superintendent of Police reached the spot, the encroachers had fled. Local authorities were asked to fence the area and plant trees during the monsoon season.

Mr. Khare said 8,000-10,000 hectares of forestland, cleared of encroachments over the last three-four years, were encroached upon again.

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