After the recent police debacle in Nandigram, police in MP apparently did not learn much from their colleagues and firing on about 4000 adivasis in Rewa, MP. Apparently the trouble started because about 1500 families claimed a piece of forest land and are in possession since more than three years in this village.
After surrounding the area for more than 5 hours, police fired tear gas shells and started beating the women mercilessly. This was followed by police firing. Till now two people are reported
with bullet injuries. All the thatched houses have been burnt and demolished by bulldozers. Interestingly so far, no mainstream English media has covered this - maybe they are waiting for some people to die before they report it. Of course, 8 people are missing which does not matter either.
Time line of events to mayhem…
- 1500 Families comprising 4000 Adivasis with large number of children have been dependent on the forest land in Ghateha village in Teothar Tehsil in Rewa District of Madhya Pradesh. Their living was dependent on the rainfed agriculture from the 1500 bighas land.
- 15 March, 2007 – Around 1500 families dependent on the land in Ghateha village permanently shifted to live on the land which they have been living off for more than three years. The forest department started claiming the land and the harassment started. It is noteworthy here that the land in and around the area was denotified in July 1974.
- 5 April, 2007 – Seventeen people of Ghateha village of Teothar tehsil in Rewa district charge sheeted under Dhara 26,33 & 67 by the Forest Department on their way back from the forest. Nine of them are in jail. Eight of them are missing since then.
- 17 April, 2007 – SDM, SDOP and Forest department official went to Ghateha village and told people that they will be given the Gram Sabha land provided they vacate the land they are in now. Villagers were threatened of dire consequences if not obliged.
- 18 April, 2007 – The District Magistrate Mr. B.C. Ahuja gives assurance to the people to ascertain the status of the land and if it is forest land then people will be given appropriate land.
- 19 April, 2007 – Deployment of police force under the supervision of DFO, SDOP and Circle Officer. Police opens fire after initial tear gas shells. Houses are set on fire.
Interestingly, a day after the DM gives assurances about ascertaining the status of the land, we have a case of police firing and harassment!
After surrounding the area for more than 5 hours, police fired tear gas shells and started beating the women mercilessly. This was followed by police firing. Till now two people are reported
with bullet injuries. All the thatched houses have been burnt and demolished by bulldozers. Interestingly so far, no mainstream English media has covered this - maybe they are waiting for some people to die before they report it. Of course, 8 people are missing which does not matter either.
Time line of events to mayhem…
- 1500 Families comprising 4000 Adivasis with large number of children have been dependent on the forest land in Ghateha village in Teothar Tehsil in Rewa District of Madhya Pradesh. Their living was dependent on the rainfed agriculture from the 1500 bighas land.
- 15 March, 2007 – Around 1500 families dependent on the land in Ghateha village permanently shifted to live on the land which they have been living off for more than three years. The forest department started claiming the land and the harassment started. It is noteworthy here that the land in and around the area was denotified in July 1974.
- 5 April, 2007 – Seventeen people of Ghateha village of Teothar tehsil in Rewa district charge sheeted under Dhara 26,33 & 67 by the Forest Department on their way back from the forest. Nine of them are in jail. Eight of them are missing since then.
- 17 April, 2007 – SDM, SDOP and Forest department official went to Ghateha village and told people that they will be given the Gram Sabha land provided they vacate the land they are in now. Villagers were threatened of dire consequences if not obliged.
- 18 April, 2007 – The District Magistrate Mr. B.C. Ahuja gives assurance to the people to ascertain the status of the land and if it is forest land then people will be given appropriate land.
- 19 April, 2007 – Deployment of police force under the supervision of DFO, SDOP and Circle Officer. Police opens fire after initial tear gas shells. Houses are set on fire.
Interestingly, a day after the DM gives assurances about ascertaining the status of the land, we have a case of police firing and harassment!
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