NCW recommends stopping of 'Salwa Judum' campaign

New Delhi, Dec 20 (UNI) Concerned over atrocities on tribals in 'Salwa Judum' camps in Chhattisgarh, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has sent several recommendations, including an immediate end to the campaign involving young boys and girls, to the Centre and the Sate Government.

Addressing a press conference here, NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said the situation in the affected areas was grave and immediate steps needed to be taken to address it.

''On the basis of the report from our commission team we have sent the suggestions to the Governments.... The situation is grave and life of scores of young people have to be saved,'' she added.

A two-member NCW team, comprising Ms Malini Bhattacharya and Ms Manju Snehlata Hembram, recently visited the affected Dantewara district for an on the spot review of the situation and submitted a report.

The NCW suggested rehabilitation of 'Salwa Judum' activists in their villages and their development, immediate end to the campaign, providing basic amenities and training in alternative livelihood, compensation to all women and children who have lost their kin or homes and legal aid for all 41 women undertrials in the Jagdalpur jail.

''Most the villagers have been caught in between Naxalites and 'Salwa Judum' in the intensified conflict.... ever since the campaign started. This enforced displacement is creating havoc with their normal life and is affecting women and children in particular,'' Ms Vyas said.

She said the camp-dwellers were not economically independent dependent.

''Either they depend on doles or the work they get from the government. Instead of running camps on a permanent basis, the 'Salwa Judum' campaign which would make them open to Naxalite reprisal they ever go back to their villages, will full,'' she observed.

Expressing concern over recruitment of young boys and girls, some even minors, the NCW chairperson said it was particularly disturbing that the youths were appointed as Special Protection Officers (SPO) and provided guns and ammunition.

''Their education is being disrupted and they are not getting any other training that would help them in future with their livelihood.

Since the jobs they are getting are not permanent, if they are discharged tomorrow, they will have nothing to do,'' she said.

Pointing out that young girls were at the risk of facing exploitation, she said such recruitment should be immediately stopped.

''If all that they have to do is to assist regular forces in patrolling and in escorting villagers from one place to another, is their service so indispensable that they are being trained into arts of violence at such a tender age?'' she added.

Advocating legal aid for all 41 women undertrial at Jagdalpur Jail in Naxalite cases, she said the government must take steps for speedy settlement of their cases.

UNI NR MSJ DB1816