The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Basic amenities still far a dream for tribals, dalits

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Friday, Jun 20, 2008
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Basic amenities still far a dream for tribals, dalits

Staff Reporter

They come face to face at an interactive programme in Badpada

It was two days of fun and frolic for them
There was extra watch on the security

BERHAMPUR: The tribals and dalits of extreme remote cut off areas of Chitrakonda reservoir in naxal infested Malkangiri district came face-to-face with the top administrative officials to discuss their woes at the two day interactive community programme of the police force at Badpada.

The district magistrate of Malkangiri, Nitin Jawale, the SP, Satish Kumar Gajbhiye and district level officials attended this camp that ended on Wednesday night.

The villagers of this remote area had many woes to describe before the top officials with whom they were interacting with for the first time. They have been displaced twice. First by the Macchkund project and then by the Chitrakonda project. But till now basic amenities remain a dream for them, which is being misused by the naxals to brain wash the new generation of these tribals.

The district officials surely did come up with promises related to long standing dreams of the people of the area.

The promises included electrification of the area within a year, construction of pucca roads, safe drinking water to all within a period of 18 months and opening of new police station at Jodambo. Complaints related to repair of tube wells, regular opening of schools, health services etc. were ordered to be dealt with immediately.

For about a week the police officials had visited every home at Badpada and its adjoining villages to invite them to the two-day programme. There was extra watch on the security as it was a naxal prone area and on May 28, naxal had murdered a peasant Bishu Hantal at the Badpada village.

The entire route from Malkangiri to Chitrakonda, and from Janibai camp to Badpada was sanitised and checked for plans of sabotage or landmine blast by the Maoist vagrants.

The officials had to use boats and bikes to reach the remote Badpada village.

It was two days of fun frolic and intermingling of administrative officials, police and locals of this remote area. Police orchestra and local tribal musicians matched their beats and melodies. There also was a free health camp and sports meet.

The village elders and the winners of different competitions were awarded at the function that marked the end of the two day programme.

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