on april 15, 2008, the supreme court ordered the National Human Rights Commission to appoint a committee to
look into human rights violations by Salwa Judum activists in Chhattisgarh and submit a report within eight weeks of the order. At a hearing on
March 31, the bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice Aftab Aslam had said that there could be no objection to an
independent enquiry into Salwa Judum.
The court order came in response to two petitions. The counsels for the petitioners, Ashok Desai and T R Andhyarujina, said Salwa Judum was a
state sponsored vigilante force that was responsible for extreme violence in Dantewada and Bijapur districts in the state, and for forcing people
into camps. Independent reports of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Administrative Reforms Commission have, in
the past, talked about the violation of fundamental rights in such camps.
"The order is welcome. It has a bearing on the accountability of the state and is very important considering villagers have been displaced and
forced to migrate," said Ramesh Sharma of Ekta Parishad, an organization working on community governance. Although Ramvichar Netam, the
state's home minister, says he is prepared for the enquiry, he insists there should be a neutral and unbiased enquiry. "Such reports are extremely
negative. The villagers living in relief camps have come on their own and they know they are safe," he said.
The bench also noted that the government policy on Salwa Judum amounted to endorsing vigilantism and such lawlessness could not be
tolerated. But Vishwa Ranjan, director-general police, Chhattisgarh, said, "Special police officers are well trained and assist the police to fight
Naxals. They are well within the law."
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.