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After almost two-and-a-half years in the cramped and overcrowded Salwa Judum camps...

After almost two-and-a-half years in the cramped and overcrowded Salwa Judum camps, many like Madvi Mangu are contemplating a move back to their villages. Mangu and his fellow villagers, who reside at the Bhairamgarh relief camp, hail from across the Indrawati river, known to be a Naxalite stronghold.

About 57,000 tribals from about 640 villages in the Bastar region are currently living in 23 relief camps set up by the State. Most appear disillusioned by the Government8217;s claims and assurances of rehabilitation. Vikaam Mandavu, resident of such a camp in Bhairamgarh, said the Government was unable to provide any relief even at the camp. 8220;We have to work as petty labourers to eke out a living,8221; he said.

The desire to return, among these villagers in Chhattisgarh, has been strengthened by an announcement by the Naxalites that the security of those who re-populate their villages would be assured. The assurance, however, doesn8217;t cover villagers employed as special police officers and their families. The incentive also comes at a time when the Government has cleared a proposal to permanently settle villagers at Salwa Judum camps.

Inspector General of Police Bastar range R K Vij said the Naxalite ban on agriculture for people residing in relief camps followed by this incentive is a clear attempt to reverse the government effort to keep the people in these camps. 8220;It is another attempt by the Maoists to try and win over the tribals. The ban on farming was an attempt to put economic constraints on the tribal population living in these camps and pressurise them into returning to their villages,8221; he said.

Sources in the government confirmed that several meetings have taken place over the past few days in Salwa Judum camps located in Dantewara and Bijapur districts of south Bastar where villagers have discussed moving back to their native villages. One such meeting was held last Tuesday with villagers from Satwa, Belnaar, Dunga, Dharma, Takilod, Chingor, Pidiyakot, Pallewaya and Nelsnaar in the Bhairamgarh Block gathering to reconsider their stay in relief camps.

Home Minister Ram Vichar Netam, however, maintained that the Government believes the Salwa Judum movement has severely affected the morale of the Naxalite cadres. 8220;We anticipated such a response from the extremists and will focus on ways to stop them from leading the tribal population down the wrong path again,8221; said Netam.

Tribals living in the camps also fear loss of identity and say that a feeling of alienation is creeping in. 8220;The children do not understand the importance of being from one tribe and our way of life as several villages are settled in one camp. There are no separate arrangements for different tribes,8221; said Bhinu Ram, sarpanch of Itampara.

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There is also a growing feeling that the Government, instead of uprooting them, should provide them security in their native villages. Mangad Mandavi, Janpad Panchayat member from Orchha, said most villagers don8217;t want to stay in relief camps anymore. 8220;We want the Government to provide us security forces at our native villages so that they can return home and live freely.8221; He also pointed out that cultivation in abandoned villages has been destroyed and life in relief camps is static with no support from the Government.

Local Congress legislator Kawasi Lakma blames this growing desire among the tribals on corruption. 8220;The administration has failed to provide adequate relief to the people residing in camps. The relief meant for these people don8217;t reach them and is shared amongst corrupt Government officials and those running these relief camps,8221; Lakma said.

District Collector Dantewara K R Pisda, who claimed that efforts were on to provide immediate and effective relief, said: 8220;The Government is spending over Rs 100 crore on running these relief camps. We have also sought more funds from the Government.8221;