Tribals Raise Voice Against Security Forces In Odisha’s Malkangiri Again

Malkangiri: After a long time, the tribals of Swabhiman Anchal in the district have raised their voice against the security forces deployed in their area for ant-Maoist operation.

Around 500 villagers of 9 villages under Chitrakonda block held a meeting on Tuesday and expressed their resentment against the actions of the security forces. Demanding their security from the security forces, the tribals threatened that if the latter does not stop the exploitation, they would resort to agitational methods.

The tribals held the meeting over the exchange of fire between the security forces and the Maoists on last Saturday night. They said after an old man of Muduliguda village fell sick, the villagers were taking him to Ourapada hospital in a boat.

While they were rowing the boat, the security forces fired at them suspecting them to be Maoists. Fortunately, none of them was injured in the firing as they stopped the boat midway.

The tribals alleged that the security personnel’s irresponsible behaviour has put their lives under threat and they were afraid of moving out at night. Condemning the firing aimed at them, they demanded that such actions by the security forces should be stopped to enable them to lead a normal life.

It may be noted that the tribals’ opposition to anti-Maoist operations had stopped after various people-friendly measures by the government like construction of Gurupriya bridge, setting up hospitals and mobile phone conncectivity as well as the security forces’ outreach to them.