Rights activists flay police atrocities on Narmada tribals

Sagbara, Gujarat, Sep 5 (UNI) Several human rights activists have condemned attacks on tribal farmers of 12 villages around Sagbara in Narmada district by officials of Forest Department and Police.

The five human rights activists, in a statement here today, said the police in large numbers 'gheraoed' tribals of Kota Rampura, Khokharwad, Rundi Gaon, Dehli Pada, Nava Kolwad, Devrupan, Haripur, Umar Gaon, Dungari Pada, Bad Gaon, Rajni Wad, Mohli Pada and Khanora villages this morning.

The policemen bearing fire-arms blockaded about 2 to 2.5 thousand acres of the Adivasi land. The police not only fired in the air but beat up thousands of Adivasi men, women and children. The whole scenario resembled a war-front, the activists said.

Moreover, the police had hired labourers from outside the state to damage the standing crop on the 2.5 thousand acre land of the tribals who are oustees of the Ukai dam, they said.

The activists who deplored the attack included Ambarish Rai and Pratibha Shinde of Lok Sangarsh Morcha, Hiren Gandhi, Saroop Dhruv of and Fr Cedric Prakash of Ahmedabad.

The people have decided to stage a 'dharna' in front of the Forest Office of Rajpipla as a means of peaceful protest. The activists urged the state government to immediately intervene and protect the tribals from harassment and mental torture, the release added.

UNI