OtherIndia.org

Himanshu Kumar from Vanvasi Chetna Ashram(VCA) (which is being continually harassed by the government for standing up against the Salwa Judum)  just informed us (at 10:30 am Indian Standard Time, May 17 2009) that the authorities have demolished the VCA premises. He also said they were in the middle of breaking the only handpump in the area. He said, in a very matter of fact manner, that he is back where he was 17 years ago-under a tree, and he and the VCA have to start over from square one. He also said that two students from Indian Institute of Science Banglaore, Prathamesh and Aravind; photo-journalist Javed Iqbal; journalist-intern Veronica (one of the key VCA volunteers);  Himanshu Kumar's nephew Abhay and another VCA volunteer Lakshmiyya Puja have been taken to a nearby Police Station and detained. Of the six, Aravind and Javed Iqbal were also badly beaten.

The local administration claimed two years ago that VCA premises are an "encroachment"--and the VCA has been challening the order in the courts.  Yet, the VCA received a notice yesterday saying the premises would be bull dozed today.  This is a blatantly illegal notice, given that the matter was under a court's consideration, and also that the VCA was unable to move the court and get a reprieve, as yesterday was a holiday. Even though Himanshu ji sent an official reply pointing out these matters, the buildings have been demolished today. The original notice and VCA's reply are attached.

The following Press Statement was issued by VCA May 16th 2009

PRESS STATEMENT:

Vanvasi Chetna Ashram, Dantewada, in the recent years has raised its voice against the atrocities of the Police force and the Salwa Judum and has defended the rights of the tribals. We have helped them claim their lives with rehabilitation, education, health, water and their rights to their own forests and their own land. Presently, the organisation is trying to get the orders of the Supreme Court implemented. According to which, it is trying help the tribals rehabilitate their villages and reclaim their homes, that they left due to the Salwa Judum-Naxalite conflict. The Supreme Court order also instructed the Government to give compensation to all the villagers whose homes were burnt by the Salwa Judum. Regarding these issues, we have also taken many cases of atrocities - murder, rape, arson against the tribals to the courts for justice. It seems that the Administration is angry with such attempts of the Organisation. Today, a notice was sent by the Tehsildar of Dantewada to the Organisation to vacate the land 'encroached' till the 17.05.09 by 7 a.m. Now, the letter states that the notice tenure is from 13.5.09 till 17.5.09 but it was only hand-delivered by the deputy-collector and the Tehsildar, in the morning hours of 16.5.09, when the courts are closed and will be closed for the next one month. This ensures that the organisation may not be able to seek help from the Judiciary. Since this case is going through its legalities in the District Court, this matter is subjudice and Tehsildar can not send such notices to the Organisation.

We, have been living here for the last 17 years, with the consent of the Gram Sabha, which is binding to the government in the Fifth Schedule area, but the government is not respecting the wishes of its own people, or of the Gram Sabha. The Gram Sabha is real democracy.

Such behaviour of the Administration and the Government against an organisation working in the interest of the tribals in a tribal state manifests its inimical character against the tribals. Of course, none of their attempts are going to hinder with our efforts to serve the tribals, and we will still go further.

* * *

Kindly, please contact the Collector of Dantewada, Sori, 09425515822,
and Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, Mr.Ommen, 09826622633, to
intervene in this regard.