Kerala Government asked to furnish rehabilitation details of
Muthunga forest Tribals
The Commission has been looking into a complaint filed by Ms. Nirmala Deshpande alleging police firing on a gathering of 1100 adivasi families on 19th February 2003 that had resulted in 16 deaths and injuries to others. The adivasis were protesting against the non-implementation of an agreement reached with the State Government promising them land in the Muthunga forest region of Wayanad District, Kerala
Recently, the State Government of Kerala informed the Commission that as on 5 July 2004 the investigation in the seven cases as reported to the State Government by the Superintendent of Police CBI, Chennai are in the final stage and likely to be completed shortly. The State Government also said that inquiry into the allegations on the incidents that took place on 19th February 2003 is in the final stage. The Kerala Government also indicated that some relief measures have been taken by it after the incident, but it stated that though land has already been given to several landless tribal families in the District, no one connected with the incident has been allotted land and that attempts are under way to identify suitable land for all the landless families of the District.
The Commission has now requested the Kerala Government to furnish information with regard to settlement of the tribal families affected. It has also directed that it be informed on the status of relief measures taken by the State after the incident and the status of investigation of the seven cases, which are being investigated by the CBI.
Recently, the State Government of Kerala informed the Commission that as on 5 July 2004 the investigation in the seven cases as reported to the State Government by the Superintendent of Police CBI, Chennai are in the final stage and likely to be completed shortly. The State Government also said that inquiry into the allegations on the incidents that took place on 19th February 2003 is in the final stage. The Kerala Government also indicated that some relief measures have been taken by it after the incident, but it stated that though land has already been given to several landless tribal families in the District, no one connected with the incident has been allotted land and that attempts are under way to identify suitable land for all the landless families of the District.
The Commission has now requested the Kerala Government to furnish information with regard to settlement of the tribal families affected. It has also directed that it be informed on the status of relief measures taken by the State after the incident and the status of investigation of the seven cases, which are being investigated by the CBI.