The Hindu : New Delhi News : ‘Naxals interfering in tribal affairs’

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Wednesday, Oct 08, 2008
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‘Naxals interfering in tribal affairs’

Forcing them to support the movement: NHRC

‘Force them to give one child to become sangham member’
‘Discouraged education beyond Class V’

New Delhi: Naxalites in Chhattisgarh are interfering in the day-to-day life of tribals forcing them to support the movement, indulge in human trafficking and enrol minors in their organisation, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said.

The Commission said the right to life of tribals is being “practically enjoyed” only at the mercy of naxalites and anyone who tries to raise a voice against their “tyrannical” ways were “killed or maimed”.

“The naxalites interfere with the day-to-day life of the tribals -- in family matters, education, marriages, religious beliefs etc. They force tribals to give one boy or girl from each family to become ‘sangham’ member,” it said.

These are among the findings of a three-member NHRC inquiry committee which investigated a complaint against Salwa Judum, an anti-naxal programme in Chhattisgarh.

It said naxals were “indulging” in human trafficking and forced labour by compelling villagers to send one young member from each family, either boy or girl, to become members of their organisational units called ‘sangham’ or ‘dalam’.

“In addition, it is also well known that the naxals use minors in one of their organisations called Bal Sangham,” the report said.

It said many villagers told the inquiry panel that naxalites always “discouraged” education beyond Class V and “forced” the villagers to send their children to ‘Bal Sangham’ besides destroying school buildings.

On the rights violation of Salwa Judum, the report said there have been instances where Salwa Judum activists, Special Police Officers and security forces have also been involved in excesses.

“Since the enquiry team came across one case in which a villager was prima facie killed by Salwa Judum activists and no FIR has been registered, similar such other instances cannot be ruled out,” the NHRC said. Interestingly, the NHRC team also found few villagers whose named figured in the list of deceased who were actually alive. -- PTI

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