The Forest and Revenue officials have proved themselves more deadly than any mafia for some innocent primitive tribes in Baragarh village in the district here.
According to some villagers, they were given land patta on the encroached forest land under the Forests Right Act (FRA) last year and the Revenue officials after taking bribe had identified some land near the village for farming purpose. But when the tribals went to the spot to clear the bushes and begin farming in December last year, the local forest officials arrived and asked these villagers to come to the forest range office at Telkoi for verification of their land documents.
The following morning 14 villagers proceeded to Telkoi to meet the Range Officer. But they were arrested and sent to jail on charges of cutting trees and clearing forest land. Their family members had to dispose of their cattle, goats and other properties to obtain bail for them after the innocent tribals were put in captivity for nine days.
Their misery didn’t end there. To make the case more complicated and difficult for the tribals, the Forest officials booked five different cases against the accused again.
“We did not cut any trees, but only few bushes. No big seizure was made by the Forest officials from the spot, but we were arrested and jailed with serious charges,” lamented Manikar Juang , a tribal victim, in the court premises.
The incident has created panic among the Baragarh villagers for which they seldom come out of their village fearing possible arrest. They even have stopped sending their children to schools anticipating problems from local babus.
Several people’s forums including the Juang Mahasabha tried to negotiate with authorities to find a solution but in vain. “A case has already been booked and nothing more can be done,” replied Keonjhar DFO Rohit Kumar lenka.
However, Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Project Administrator Brahmananda Behera said, “We can do something only after going through the facts of the case.”
It may be hard to understand whether such action by officials can be beneficial either to the Government in terms of forest conservation or for tribal community in ensuring their livelihood and well-being.
Surely, it has ruined the life of 14 poor tribal families and disturbed the peace in Baragarh village.