|
-Orissa Diary
Narayanpatna : About 5000 tribals from across Narayanpatna and Bandhugan blocks in Koraput district were stopped by heavily armed security forces at different places this morning as they were on their way to attend the two-day convention on preservation of tribal language and culture.
This convention, planned for 21st and 22nd February 2012 at Balipeta Hatpada, was to be attended by 10,000 tribals from 12 different tribes across Koraput district. The tribal convention was first of its kind called by Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh, Narayanpatna. the tribal convention was to be addressed by Dandapani Mohanty, President, Jana Adhikar Manch, Prafulla Samantray, convener, Lok Sakti Abhiyan, Rabi Das, noted poet and journalist and Lenin Roy, editor of Nishan Magazine.
But violent repression and brutal force was used by the district administration and security forces today to ensure that no one was able to reach the convention venue. Eye witnesses recounted how the security personnel used brutal force to disperse a crowd of about 1000 tribals at Jodijam crossroads near Tentulipadar Panchayat headquarter village. They lathi charged the tribals in which a 40-year old tribal woman Wano Nachika suffered heavy bleeding due to deep wounds on her left hand. Apart from this many people showed swelling due to heavy blows of a thick lathi. Seeing the beatings these tribals retreated to a small hillock from where they discussed about taking a different route to the meeting venue. But the security forces arrived on the hillock and stripped a youth of about 20 years Pitera Wangadika of Tanginipadar and after tying him to tree publicly beat him to almost unconscious state. This forced the tribals to retreat and return to their villages. After the security forces departed from the hillock, a few tribals came and took the youth back home after helping him put on his clothes.
Meanwhile at Balipeta Hatpada a huge posse of about 200 above Security personnel stood watch over the meeting venue from 6 o’clock in the morning today to prevent any participation. At about noon they finally set fire to the entire fooding and lodging arrangements set up at the venue for the participants which included fuelwood and small wooden shades. At the meeting venue, some journalists present there asked IIC of Narayanpatna Police Station Atanu Rout about the brutal repression, beating and setting fire to the venue to which Mr. Rout responded that e knew nothing about the allegations because since morning not a single person had come to attend the tribal convention.
Similarly, near Palaput-Bikrampur crossroad, security personnel abused and forced back a group of about 1000 tribals who were coming in procession to the meeting venue singing, dancing and playing their traditional instruments. These people hastily retreated fearing further beating and harassment. They also feared the same fate as the tribals who were beaten at Tentulipadar. Due to these incidents of violence of security personnel the two day tribal convention could not be held.
It is learnt from reliable sources that 9 tribal men were picked up near Balipeta village when they were on their way to the convention. They were severely beaten by BSF personnel and illegally detained inside Podapadar BSF Camp. Till now there is no news about their whereabouts. Family members of these 9 persons are afraid that their men would either be killed or tortured inside the camp. They urged media persons to highlight the news and help rescue their menfolk.
|
