Bastar tribals facing starvation, says former MP

Jagdalpur, Apr 16 (UNI) Displaced tribals in Chhattisgarh's naxalite-affected Dantewada district are facing starvation in the absence of work and denial of ration food, former MP from Bastar Drigpal Shah has alleged.

Several thousand tribals from about 300 villages in southern part of Bastar have been displaced due to increased hostilities between the ultras and security personnel after the launch of anti-naxal movement 'Salwa Judum' in June, 2005.

About 500 tribals, who are inmates of the relief camp at Bedre adjoining Abujhmarh, are forced to survive eating wild fruits, tubers or boiled leaves, Mr Shah told reporters here today, adding few tribals were dependent on their relatives in Kutru area.

''Tribals from Abujhmarh lodged in Bedre camp complained to him that they were facing starvation in the absence of work. They were ready to return to their villages to take up agriculture if the government provided them adequate security or they may be provided employment in the construction of the 75 km Bedre-Orchha road''. Mr Shah said.

Residents of Guruwada, Madepur, Lanka and Nogur villages in Abujhmarh area inhabited by primitive tribals are residing in the Bedre camp for two years, he said, adding minor construction works in Bedre area could not provide gainful employment to such large number of displaced tribals.

Of the 14 relief camps started under the Bijapur project, free foodgrain ration was being provided to the inmates of five camps, while only aged and physically challenged people in other camps were provided this facility, Sub-Divisional Magistrate S R Sahu said.

Meanwhile, Bastar range Inspector General of Police Rajendra Kumar Vij said the administration was planning to launch development works in Bedre area in a phased manner. While admitting that security could not be provided in entire 75 km stretch from Bedre to Orchha, he said security would be provided to those tribals who were ready to return to their villages to take up agriculture.

Economy in more than 300 villages in southern Dantewada district was in shatters due to displacement of the tribals. Paddy fields remain barren and domestic cattle were either sold off or let loose in the wild. Schools, mostly residential Ashram schools run by the Tribal Welfare department, remained closed.

More than 600 people, including security personnel, were killed since the government-supported 'Salwa Judum' movement was launched two years ago to wean away the tribals from the influence of CPI(Maoist) naxals, active there for over two decades running parallel government levying tax mainly from contractors and transporters.

More than 2,000 tribal youth, including girls, were appointed Special Police Officers on a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,500 to assist the security personnel in the anti-naxal operations. Many relief camps were also targetted by the ultras.

UNI