NHRC issues notice to Kerala Government on alleged police brutalities on Adivasis in the State
The National Human Rights Commission on 24 February 2003 has issued notice to the Government of Kerala seeking a report on a complaint regarding alleged police brutalities on adivasis in the state.
The Commission received a complaint from Ms. Nirmala Deshpande, Dr. Syeda Hameed, Dr. Prakash Lewis, Ms. Souparna Lahiri, and others highlighting the alleged brutal action of Kerala Police on the Adivasi Resistance Movement, which has been taking place in Muthunga forest region of Wayanad district in Kerala since 19 February 2003.
According to the complainants, the State machinery was using brutal force to contain the years long genuine demand of the adivasis for their land rights. Further, it has been alleged that the unforgivable and cynical delay in delivering the land promised by the Government of Kerala to these poor and most needy people, had resulted in an unfortunate yet needlessly brutal confrontation resulting in 16 deaths which include children and women. Apart from those killed in the police firing, scores had been injured and many arrested. The complainants also reported that many adivasis were still lying injured inside the forest without any medical aid. Most of those arrested had not been produced before the court and they being kept in illegal police custody.
The complainants have prayed for the Commission’s intervention.
The Commission has thus issued notice to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Government of Kerala seeking a report within two weeks time.