BHUBANESWAR: (Visakeo)Alleging that security forces have unleashed a reign of terror in Kandhamal district, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, a Sangh Parivar outfit working for the welfare of the tribals, today urged the State Government to stop mid-night arrest of innocent people.
While male members of many ‘Kandha’ households in the district have fled to forests fearing arrests, security personnel are conducting midnight raids without the presence of lady police and misbehaving with women members, general secretary of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA) Laxmikanta Dash told mediapersons here.
A mother of two children, Pulima Mallick of Pajaimaha village under Raikia police station, said her husband is living in jungles for over a month fearing arrest, though not a single house of ‘Pana’ Christians in her village was damaged.
With tears, Pramila Pradhan, widow of a policeman, narrated how her mentally retarded son was brutally assaulted by the security forces although he is totally innocent.
Pramila belongs to Sisapanga village under Raikia police limits.
‘‘We are living in constant fear and unable to sleep at night fearing police raid,’’ they said. Sound of a vehicle scared the villagers and people started running to jungles apprehending arrest.
Citing several instances, Dash alleged that tribal women were molested by CRPF personnel.
While police refused to register complaints of tribal women, the complainants were threatened with arrest if they pursue to lodge FIRs. Police are arresting ‘Kandhas’ on the basis of information provided by ‘Pana’ Christians. Most of the time, Christians are accompanying them in police uniform and voters’ list has formed the basis of arrest, Dash alleged.
On October 3, police raided several houses in Beheragoan and tortured women. Two minor girls of Gaonala village of Gagaguda gram panchayat under Udaygiri police limits were picked up after their mother was mercilessly beaten up. Father of the two girls has fled the village, Dash said.
The two girls were kept in the CRPF custody that night and forwarded to court the next day.
The villagers’ demand for medical examination of the two girls were ignored.
Although several women in various parts of the district were treated very shabbily by the security forces, they are not coming out with details out of shame and fear, he added.
Dash today submitted a memorandum to the State Human Rights Commission alleging violation of human rights of innocent tribals in Kandhamal district.
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