Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Jan 25: In a shocking development the Pradhan of Tushanabad Village of South Andaman has revealed that Jarawa Youths often raid his village and if protested they threaten villagers to chop their heads.
Tushnabad Village is located just next to the Jarawa Reserve Forest of South Andaman, which houses nearly 400 hunter gatherer Jarawa Tribes.
“This has become a regular affair in our villages. Jarawa youths often enter our plantation area and houses. They take away tools made up of iron, cooked food, clothes, shampoo, perfume, oil and whatever else they feel like. Last week when a villager, Mothi Mazumder, tried to call police one of the Jarawa youths threatened him to chop his head,” the Pradhan of Tushnabad Village, Mr. Mohan Halder told ‘Andaman Sheekha’ today.
Showing, video recordings of statement of the villager, Mothi Mazumder, who was threatened by Jarawa tribal youths on 18 January 2012, the Pradhan of the village is now demanding proper police protection in Tushnabad Village from Jarawa Tribes.
“Two years back I had urged Administration to protect Tushnabad Villagers from crocodile attacks. As nothing was done, two people were killed by crocodiles in our village in last three months. Now atleast in case of Jarawa, the Administration must provide us police protection,” Halder added.
During his recent visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands the Home Minister had also interacted with the villages of Tushnabad and heard their grievances.
“Earlier Senior officials of Administration had assured us compensation in case of Jarawa attack within 15 days. I demand immediate payment of compensation to the victim, whose house hold items were looted by Jarawa youths,” the Pradhan said.
The Pradhan also indicated on a specific group of Jarawa Tribes who are entering inside nearby villages on regular basis.
“According to report a group of only nine made Jarawa youths do this. They come with battery torches in their hand at around night 2.00 am and break inside houses and look for things to loot. On 17, 18 and 19 January 2012 they conducted continuous raids. We need immediate police protection,” the Pradhan said.
However, when contacted the Superintendent of Police of South Andaman region, Mr. SBS Tyagi mentioned that till now only one complaint has been received about Jarawa entering inside the Tushnabad Village area.
“We have directed the staffs of Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samity (AAJVS) to advise Jarawa people to stay inside their own territory. We are examining the matter and if found real threat, Police Department will provide protection to civilian people, like we are presently giving protection to Jarawa population,” Tyagi told ‘Andaman Sheekha’ today.
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