Tribal people living in Billenahosahalli haadi at Neralekuppe village in Hunsur taluk have alleged that they are being “harassed” by the anti-narcotics squad. In a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner here on Wednesday, a copy of which was received here, more than 110 families living in the haadi alleged that their huts were raided by the squad officials on September 5 and again on September 22 after midnight. They alleged that the officials threatened them and misbehaved with the women. When the men objected, they were intimidated by the officials, they complained.
They said that they had been living peacefully in the haadi for more than 80 years without indulging in any anti-social activities. But they were being humiliated by the squad officials.
On September 22, the squad officials forced their way into several huts to conduct a search, they said.
The raids had created a fear psychosis among them. Such activities could demoralise them and make them go back to the forests after moving to the forest fringes (Billenahosahalli hadi), they said.
They requested the Deputy Commissioner to order an inquiry and initiate action. They also sought security.
