While the attention of the world is focussed on the event at Indervelli martyrs column, families of those killed in the disgraceful Indervelli police firing of April 20, 1981 calmly go about paying homage to the departed souls in their homes every year on that date.
The event at the martyrs column reflects the anger and resentment of the Adivasi community over its continued exploitation, but a totally different picture can be seen at the small gatherings of members of respective families for performing the traditional ‘sana na puja’ or the prayer for the departed.
Despite passage of such a long time the families exist in abject poverty as most had lost their bread winners. The descendents of those killed or incapacitated in the 38-year-old firing incident seem to be in dire need of governmental attention.
A public meeting had been organised by Girijana Rythu Coolie Sangham, said to be a frontal organisation of the then CPI (ML) People’s War Group, now known as CPI (Maoist). The organisers had set the agenda of ‘reclaiming’ lands encroached upon by non tribals and Lambada tribe people and something went wrong which had police firing on unarmed ethnic people who had turned up from interior areas of Indervelli and surrounding mandals of present day.
Before the puja got underway in the house of victim Kanaka Somu at Vadgaon in Indervelli mandal on Saturday, neighbours gathered to recall the events of the fateful day in 1981. “I had no clue about the meeting and just followed the crowds which were moving towards the wild shrubbery which was supposed to be the venue of the meeting,” recalled Athram Bheem Rao who was a 12-year-old when he emerged from the incident alive.
“A tear gas shell whizzed past me spreading panic. I could reach home after walking almost all night through hills and forests,” he managed to laugh at his own self as the fear and anxiety have been diluted over the years.
Those who shared the mirth suddenly donned a serious countenance as the brothers of Somu’s brothers performed the puja. The discussion now centred around the difficult task that Lakku, the elder brother of the dead person had on hand in raising the 4 and 2 year old children left behind. Incense sticks are lit on clean section of floor considered sacred for the duration of the puja.
A chicken is sacrificed as a final ritual and an appeal is made to the spirit of the departed soul to look after his family members.
