Women belonging to the majority Kandha tribe in Orissa’s Kandhamal district have taken to the streets against police excesses
BHUBANESWAR: Women belonging to the majority Kandha tribe in Orissa’s Kandhamal district have taken to the streets against police excesses and the state government’s lackadaisical approach in dealing with core issues such as the alleged misuse of fake caste certificates by the rival Pana tribe to grab government jobs and land. The women, who gheraoed government establishments and police stations on Sunday, are also demanding the release of “innocent” people arrested after the recent anti-Christian violence in the state.
A senior police officer said, “This is a well-planned move. The men have pushed the women to the forefront, while they themselves hide in the jungles. We will have to adopt a very cautious approach in dealing with the women.”
Kandha leader and Kui Samaj president Lambodar Kanhar, however, denied the women were acting as per a plan. “The women came out spontaneously. No one has told them to come to the streets. If innocents are not released, more women would join the agitation,” he said.
Sukanti Kanhar said the protests will continue till the police stop exerting pressure on locals. About the attack on the relief centre, she said it was an outcome of deprivation of the Kandha community and appeasement of Panas.
Hundreds of women laid a siege to the Sarangada and Goc Chapada police stations in Kandhamal on Sunday to demand immediate release of innocent people arrested after the communal violence broke out following the murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. Only a few days ago, the women had attacked a relief camp at Tikabali.
Police had gone on an arresting spree of the mostly Hindu Kandhas after the Christian minority Panas (SCs) were attacked.
Head of sociology department at Utkal University Rita Ray said, “This is a survival strategy. They have no other way left.”
subhashish_m@yahoo.com
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}