The Aam Aadmi Party in Goa on Tuesday demanded a judicial probe into the selective attacks on members of the migratory wanare-mare (monkey-killer) tribe, whose temporary tenements were demolished more than a month ago, by unknown persons in Nirankal, near Ponda sub-district and are currently living without shelter under police security.
AAP spokesperson Ajitsingh Rane told The Pioneer on the sidelines of a media event, that only a judicial probe would be able to reveal why over 100 members of this tribe, including women and children had been driven to live in the open after a sustained campaign by local villagers against them.
“A judicial probe is a must to get to the bottom of this campaign against the wanar-mares. Who has demolished their homes and left them to fend for themselves in the open needs to be found out, because the district administration and the Goa Government have failed them,” Rane said, adding that the State Government had failed to safeguard the interests of the marginalised community.
Traditionally, the wanar-mare tribe were nomads who lived in the far reaches of the Western Ghat mountain range and used to survive by killing monkeys for meat. Over years however, members of this community gave up on living on monkeys for subsistence and eked out a living by working as blue-collar, daily wage workers.
Several years back a batch over hundred wanar-mares settled in Nirankal village in temporarily built huts. More than a month ago however, 15 people from the same village allegedly demolished their huts and since the wanar-mares have been living in the open, with the State administration providing them with four armed guards, as protection.
A first information report has also been filed against the 15 people, which includes five women for destroying the hutments and unlawful assembly.
Goa Chief Minister laxmikant Parsekar has already instructed the district administration to ensure that security is provided to the scheduled tribe members to ensure that they are not harmed.