Police action in Muthanga forest of Kerala

On FEBRUARY 18, 2003 the police launched a brutal attack on a few hundred Adivasis of Kerala who had occupied a forest area at Muthanga in Wynad district a few weeks earlier as part of their agitation demanding land.

Police said one Adivasi and one constable were killed in the action. However, Adivasi sources claim that the Adivasi casualties are much higher.

The Muthanga outrage has sent shock waves across the State. Various arguments are being advanced to justify the unwarranted brutal action of the state. One is that there were firm instructions from T.R. Balu, Union Minister of Environment and Forests and the Supreme Court to evict the protesting Adivasis. The government alleges that the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha (Tribal Council) has been infiltrated by or has links with the Peoples War Group of Andhra Pradesh and even the LTTE of Sri Lamks.

It is worth recollecting that the whole process that led to the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha’s move into the Muthanga has been preceded by widespread consultative process in full public view as for example the huge meeting of the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha at Mananthavady on 25 August 2002 when a 60 member tribal court (consisting of 20 women and 40 men) was constituted from amongst the participants where it was declared that in view of the non-implementation of the ‘agreement’, the people shall establish their rights by occupying the lands. It is also a fact that thousands of Adivasis had moved into Muthanga on 4 January 2003 after the deadline prescribed by the government for completion of the allotment of land expired on 31 December 2002. These took place in full view of the world who care to see. The occupation of land, mostly those that have already been identified have since been going on in different parts of the state led by various Adivasi organizations including the CPM related Adivasi organization. The attack on the people took place on 19 February 2003 nearly one and a half months later. All these cannot be termed a deep rooted conspiracy. The turning point came when only when the forest and police decided to embark on a misadventure of setting fire to the forests and use this as an excuse for brutal action. This misfired when they were caught.

As of now:

1. Though the official death toll still is claimed to be two – one Adivasi and one policeman – the speculation is that 5 to 15 Adivasis have been killed.

2. It is now evident that 22 rounds of firing took place though the police had stated 18 earlier

3. The government has granted Rs.5 lakhs to the family of the dead policeman and another Rs. 1 lakh to an injured forester. No such compensation has been declared for the Adivasis.

4. At least 240 Adivasis are officially arrested by 20 February 2003, mostly women and children. The hunt goes on and is spreading to all Adivasi regions in the state. There are possibilities that this could extend to the adjacent regions of Karnataka and Tamilnadu.

5. It is believed that there are a large number of injured Adivasis who managed to escape and who are believed to have escaped to the deeper jungles. The death toll could increase due to non-availability of medical care.

6. Many hundreds (it is believed that 1100 families had occupied parts of Muthanga at the time of police actions). Many are women, children and the old. Their fate is unknown. They are without food and medicines. Their worldly goods had to be abandoned when the police attack came. The police presence and combing prevent them seeking help. Police have been raiding Adivasi villages outside the forest area which has created a sense of insecurity and terror.

7. The fate of the activists and leaders such as C.K Janu and Geethanandan is unknown. There is fear that their life is in danger.

In the above context, what is URGENTLY required is

• A complete ceasing of all police and forest department operations. The police force must be IMMEDIATELY withdrawn to provide a conducive atmosphere to enable the missing hundreds to return. This is also vital for peace to return.

This is also necessary for the media, human rights and other citizens to assess the aftermath of the attack as well as to make independent assessment of the truth of the incidents rather than speculations and wild rumours to take over sanity which are liable to lead to further insane and dangerous decisions primarily by the state. It is only then that the exact number of killed, injured and missing would be known.

• The state should IMMEDIATELY sanction compensation to the families of the Adivasis killed as well as to all the injured.

Hundreds of Adivasi families who or whose members have participated in the struggle are left without food and are facing starvation. Their worldly goods have been destroyed or abandoned. IMMEDIATE action to provide them food and other materials should be undertaken by the State.

• It is requested that these demands may be raised by individuals and organizations and sent to

1. Chief Minister, Kerala;
2. Minister for Tribal Affairs, Government of India;
3. National Human Rights Commission;
4. The National SC/ST Commission

and other authorities.

SEE EARLIER REPORT BELOW:

Plea not to use force against Adivasis

Adivasis seeking land occupied forest area of Muthanga in Kerala. On February 19, 2003 the State government ordered the police to evict them by force. On learning of the government move, Vigil India Movement urged the Chief Minister not to use force but resolve the issue through talks.

The following is the text of the letter sent to the Chief Minister by B. R. P. Bhaskar. member, Board of Trustees of Vigil India Movement:

Vigil campaign against corruption

                  THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, January 2, 2003:

Vigil India Movement has formulated an action programme for quick redress of corruption complaints, treating them as cases of human rights violation.

Accordingly a cell has been set up at the Vigil national office in Bangalore, under the Programme Coordinator, Advocate Saji Thomas, which will receive complaints from the public in Kerala and devise appropriate measures in each case for rendering justice. The programme is based on the concept that corruption-free administration is a human right.

Complaints are to be sent to Advocate Saji Thomas, Programme Coordinator, Vigil India Movement, 61 Charles Campbell Road, Bangalore 560 005. If a complainant wishes to remain anonymous, the Vigil cell, after satisfying itself about the facts, the may initiate steps on its own, withholding particulars about him.

K. Varadajan, M. N. V. G. Adiyodi, Kambara Narayanan and Mangad Rajendran, leaders of the major NGO organizations of the State had attended a seminar organized by Vigil India Movement at Thiruvananthapuram on December 30, 2002 and declared their support for movements against corruption. As the next step Vigil plans to hold a workshop in March on the problem of corruption in some selected departments.