The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Odisha over the issue of no identity of hundreds of tribals residing in a non-descript village Pirajhola in Koraput district. The apex human rights watch dog passed the order acting on a petition filed by rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy.
According to the petitioner Tripathy, the residents of Pirajhola are yet to get their voting rights even 68 years after country’s independence. They have no documents with them to establish themselves as the citizens of country. Even the administration is not aware of the state of affairs in the village.
Pirajhola, with a population of 55, all of tribal origin, finds no mention in tehsil records. All the people living in the village belong to Badeka community. The village apparently falls under laxmipur Tehsil. The communication problem to the village is inexpressible. One has to cross over three hills from Ambaguda village of Narayanpatna panchayat to reach the village ensconced in a forest. Though the villagers have no voter identity cards, no Government official has ever inquired about the matter, Tripathy alleged in his petition.
The villagers have never voted in polls. They have neither got ration cards nor availed Government facilities meant for tribals. The villagers lack basic facilities like electricity, Anganwadi centre or health centre. Here, women deliver without medicines, the petitioner added.
The village was discovered in past couple of months by BSF jawans during a combing operation. They are often suspected to be Maoists by the security forces. However, none of the Government officials know the tragic life of these poor tribal villagers, Tripathy pointed out.
The failure of the State administration to ensure voter identity cards and ensure them basic amenities like primary healthcare, education and communication amounts to serious violation of human rights, Tripathy alleged.
He requested the NHRC to investigate the case by the Special Rapporteur and direct the Chief Secretary of Odisha to immediately act over the issue. The NHRC sought a response from the State within four weeks.