Realising a long pending demand of the tribespeople of Attappady, a government order was issued last week to establish a munsiff-magistrate court in the backward region.
The proposed court at Attappady is on the priority list of the new courts to be established in the State. The list has been prepared jointly by the High Court and the government.
The lackadaisical attitude of the government in setting up a munsiff-magistrate court at Attappady, as directed by the Kerala High Court, had evoked strong resentment among the tribespeople.
Sexual exploitation
As they had to travel about 100 km to reach the nearest court at Mannarkkad, the majority of tribes in Attappady used to skip the judicial process, which worked to the advantage of the land lobby and those accused of sexually exploiting tribal women.
The situation is so bad that people had to stay for at least three days at Mannarkkad to file private complaints.
“The High Court had ordered setting up of a court at Attappady in 2006 after learning about the injustice being faced by the tribal community. In the absence of any positive move from the government, the court ordered it again in 2008. But the order was issued only last week,” said P. Premnath, advocate, of Viswas, an organisation for people who have been denied justice.
According to the local community, the T. Madhava Menon committee that looked into the problems plaguing Attappady and its tribal people had also recommended setting up a court there.
The block panchayat had promised it would provide all necessary infrastructure.
Drug mafia
The Kerala State Scheduled Caste and Schedules Tribes Commission had also preferred a court at Attapady citing the clout of the liquor and drug mafia.
The Thaikula Sangom, an organisation of tribal women, had submitted many complaints against illicit liquor and drugs with the police but could not pursue the cases in court in view of the distance to Mannarkkad.
Follow-up action
Tribal leaders said there were many cases in which the courts at Mannarkkad and Palakkad had directed restoration of alienated tribal land. But often, follow-up action could not be taken.
The government order also favours new courts at Pattambi and Ottappalam in the district.
A sigh of relief
List prepared jointly by the High Court and government
Tribal people now have to travel to Mannarkkad to file private complaints
This worked to the advantage of the land lobby
Madhava Menon panel had also recommended setting up of a court
