Call for permanent settlement for tribals, Pg9

In 2005, 50,000 Gond tribals were displaced under India’s “Strategic Hamlet Programme” to combat Maoists in Chhattisgarh.

Many were relocated to roadside camps in then-undivided Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana).

While some returned to forests or joined security forces, others settled in the new region without legal rights over forest lands.

Gutti Koya tribals have lived on illegally occupied forest land in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for nearly 20 years.

They remain excluded from State entitlements, being seen as “migrants” without tribal status in the host states.

The situation echoes Bru tribals’ rehabilitation in Tripura, yet without similar support from the Centre or Chhattisgarh government.

Chhattisgarh has not responded to rehabilitation requests from displaced tribals in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Over 24,000 tribals in AP and 8,000 in Telangana claim to be from Chhattisgarh.

Clause 3.1(m) of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 allows replacement of forest land lost due to displacement. However, Chhattisgarh has not acted, despite repeated applications.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) ordered a survey in both states to document displaced tribals.

Chhattisgarh initially delayed the survey citing the pandemic, although pressure is building to act.

With no national or international policy for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), displaced tribals remain in limbo.

State politics and Maoist threats have discouraged efforts at permanent rehabilitation.

Younger generations are moving towards urban employment, integrating into local economies without formal rights or welfare support.

Central government intervention is critical to:

Classify and recognize displaced tribals as IDPs.

Facilitate legal rehabilitation under FRA or a new policy framework.

Ensure education, housing, and employment to prevent alienation or re-radicalization.

Mains Mock Question:

“The displacement of tribal communities due to security operations has created a class of internally displaced persons without rights or identity. Discuss the challenges in rehabilitation and suggest a national policy framework for displaced tribals.”