The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Dantewada massacre: exodus of tribals to Andhra Pradesh likely

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 10, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Dantewada massacre: exodus of tribals to Andhra Pradesh likely

D. Chandra Bhaskar Rao

It has been a major issue for years in strife-torn south Bastar

Families fleeing the tribal heartland are expected to surface soon in Khammam district
Handling the migration issue is an uphill task for the police and administration

BHADRACHALAM (Andhra Pradesh): A fresh wave of migration of tribals in the wake of the massacre of policemen in Dantewada district of Chhattigarh into the adjoining districts of Andhra Pradesh is expected by the authorities here. Conflict- induced displacement has been a major issue for years in the strife-torn south Bastar region.

Many villages in the vicinity of Chintalnar where Maoists ambushed and killed 75 CRPF jawans, highest ever casualties in a low intensity conflict, have been deserted as locals fear further escalation of fighting between the Maoists and the security forces. Families fleeing the tribal heartland are expected to surface soon in the reserve forests of Khammam district and build new settlements as has been the case after every major offensive involving the naxalites. Handling the migration issue is an uphill task for the police and the administration as they are under pressure from courts and civil rights organisations to take care of the basic needs of the internally displaced persons (IDPs)

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had also been quite watchful of situation. The administration, in a way, had accepted the migrant tribals, provide them with amenities and treat them on par with the local forest communities. But, law enforcing agencies and security personnel engaged in combating the Maoists always viewed them with suspicion.

Some 16,361 internally displaced persons ( IDPs) were identified in Khammam. A majority of them are the Gothi Koyas – who have migrated to the Bhadrachalam division at the height of the conflict between the State-sponsored Salva Judum and the Maoists.

Some of them put up new settlements in the reserve forests and few of them were burnt by the local forest officials in a vain bid to send them back. The migrant population found shelter in 204 habitations and settlements built on their own. As many as 110 Gothikoya habitations have sprung up in the core area of the reserve forest thus giving the issue an environmental dimension.

The administration had plans for reaching out to 4,030 migrant families with amenities. But, it would be a difficult task to cater to their needs if the IDP population increases, officials say.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section