Tribals relocation for G20 meeting draws flak
Social activists call for dropping the proposed displacement of the tribal settlement at ASR Nagar
image for illustrative purpose
Abrupt eviction of the Chenchus, who are recognised under the Constitution as members of the ST and also recognised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, will attract the penal provisions of the SC and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 2015, apart from the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993
Visakhapatnam: The City of Destiny is not only getting a makeover with green cover and a facelift to heritage structures, Kailasagiri Hilltop Park, Rushikonda and other popular picturesque locations but also drawing criticism for relocation of some tribal families.
During recent visits, TTD Chairman and regional coordinator for YSRCP Y V Subba Reddy and senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, at separate review meetings directed the officials not to take any chance in making arrangements and showcasing the tourism potential in the region, during the visit of VVIPs and overseas delegates to the G20 Group and Global Investors' Summit to Visakhapatnam in March.
The city has turned into a beehive of activity in view of the prestigious events arrangement for which are being monitored at the highest level in the government.
TDP, CPI and CPI (M), Jana Sena, Human Regions Forum and others have already criticised the government for creating hype over the twin events without, what they said, bringing any big ticket project to the region.
However, Ministers Botcha Satyanarayana and Gudivada Amarnath have repeatedly asserted that Visakhapatnam will be made the executive capital within a couple of months and the government has big plans to develop the North Andhra region.
This time, it is the visit of the delegates to the G-20 meeting being held here and the Chenchu tribals from ASR Nagar, who were earlier displaced by the same authorities on an assurance that they will be given regular shelters, have been threatened with one more displacement, without any regular shelters being given to them for the last several years, social activist and former IAS officer E A S Sarma said on Monday.
In a representation to K S Jawahar Reddy, Chief Secretary, said it is unfortunate that the delegates to the G-20 meeting, who represent several countries, are themselves unaware of the proposed human rights violation taking place in the name of their meetings in Visakhapatnam.
He said on Monday that the abrupt eviction of the Chenchus, who are recognised under the Constitution as members of the ST and also recognised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, on the eve of VVIP visits is totally uncalled for.
It will attract the penal provisions of the SC and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 2015, apart from the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993. "India is a signatory to the UN Charter on Human Rights. Such a human rights violation will also attract the attention of the global human rights organisations to the wanton manner in which the authorities in India have been treating their indigenous communities, a matter that should cause concern to the Ministry of External Affairs," he remarked.
The former bureaucrat asked him to desist from going ahead with the proposed displacement of the tribal settlement at ASR Nagar and also refrain from displacing similarly placed hawkers, vendors and small shop owners who are eligible for protection under the relevant Central legislations.
He marked the copy of this letter to the Union Minister for External Affairs, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), a Constitutional authority and the State Human Rights Commission for taking cognisance of this.
