A team of Human Rights Law Network accuses security forces of killing tribals, calls for immediate govt action
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Senior Supreme Court lawyer and founder of Human Rights Law Network Colin Gonsalves has compared the situation in Chhattisgarh to that of Gaza, accusing the state’s police force of being responsible for the killing and oppression of tribal communities.
“Chhattisgarh has become the Gaza of India. Tribals are being killed here, and we had no idea about the extent of this brutality until we arrived there,” Gonsalves said in a statement.
The statement was issued on Tuesday at the end of a visit of human rights activists to Chhattisgarh. The team, led by Gonsalves, expressed shock and disbelief at the conditions faced by the tribal population, describing daily occurrences of torture and oppression that he had never imagined were happening in the country.
Founded in 1989, the Human Rights Law Network seeks to protect the fundamental human rights and civil liberties of the most marginalised and vulnerable members of society.
Gonsalves revealed that his team collected statements from 70 individuals, all innocent tribals who have suffered at the hands of security forces. “These are people whose homes have been invaded, whose spouses and children have been killed. There is no other state in India where such killings are taking place,” Gonsalves said.
The team specifically pointed fingers at the District Reserve Guard (DRG), accusing them of being given free rein to kill. “The DRG has been granted permission to kill at will, without any oversight or control. Chhattisgarh has essentially become a dangerous state where only those interested in mining can survive,” Gonsalves asserted, calling on the government to intervene and protect the tribals of Bastar.
Gonsalves also mentioned that his team has video evidence from 40 to 70 families, documenting the atrocities they have faced. “We will take these victims to the Supreme Court and present the truth before the judiciary. The court needs to see what is happening in Chhattisgarh,” he said.
He further emphasised that any negotiations with Naxalites must be contingent on the cessation of tribal killings. “The Ministry of Interior knows very well who is a Naxal and who is a tribal, yet the massacre continues. This must be stopped immediately,” Gonsalves said.
The lawyer’s statements have sparked concern, drawing attention to the urgent need for an independent investigation into the allegations and for steps to be taken to ensure the safety and rights of tribal communities in Chhattisgarh.
