The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that 70 Adivasi families in Parsahidadar Village in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh had been rendered homeless by the excesses of Forest Department officials and policemen who subjected them to beatings forcing them to leave their places or face arrest on allegations of encroachment upon forestland. The Adivasis have been claiming that they settled in the area developed by a former MLA.
Reportedly, 63 villagers arrested so far included 14 children, 23 women and 26 men. Children have been kept in Children Observation Home in Raipur while the men and women have been detained at different places in Raipur and Mahasamund. 250 persons were reported to be wandering in the jungle to escape beating and arrest.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the tribals and issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh calling for a factual report within two weeks. He has also been asked to inform the Commission about the steps taken for relief and rehabilitation of the 70 Adivasi families rendered homeless.