Odisha HR Bulletin-1

Koraput villagers 'harassed' by BSF men

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Koraput-villagers-harassed-by-BSF-men/articleshow/11275070.cms

KORAPUT: People from several villages in Koraput's Boipariguda block have accused Border Security Force (BSF) personnel of unnecessarily harassing them.

At a meeting held in Mantriambo village recently, the villagers expressed their anger with the personnel posted in the area for anti-Naxalite operations. "While I was going to my paddy field, BSF personnel obstructed me on my way and abused me on false charges of putting up Maoist posters although I have no links with the Red rebels," said Laxman Halwa of Dumuriguda village.

Another villager, Rajendra Pujari, said, "We are being unnecessarily harassed by the BSF personnel. They assault us on suspicion of being Maoists supporters. If the securitymen do not refrain from harassing villagers, we will intensify our agitation." The tribals, who had to go deep in the forest for collecting minor forest produce like firewood and for agricultural works, are being subjected to harassment by the security men on suspicion of being Maoist supporters, they alleged.

Koraput SP Anup Kumar Sahoo said, "I have not received any complaint against the security personnel deployed in Boipariguda block. If I do, I shall inquire into the allegations." tnn

Koraput court acquits CMAS advisor

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Koraput-court-acquits-CMAS-advisor/articleshow/11287738.cms

BHUBANESWAR: A Koraput court has acquitted CPI(ML) leader Gananath Patra, who faced charges of being involved in cattle theft.

The magistrate court at Laxmipur on Tuesday cleared Patra of the charges after the prosecution failed to substantiate the allegations. "The police had slapped Section 147 (unlawful assembly), 148 (rioting), 379 (theft), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 149 (common object) of IPC against him, but could not prove the charges," advocate Nihar Patnaik said over phone from Koraput.

Sources, however, said the 73-year old Patra is unlikely to be released from Koraput jail soon as he has five other cases pending against him. Patra was arrested in Bhubaneswar in January 2010 in the backdrop of the November 20, 2009, violence at Narayanpatna police station where two functionaries of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) were shot dead. He is known as the advisor of CMAS. Patra, who taught chemistry in different colleges, had quit his job before joining Baliapal movement and left political activities.

Police said he was also been implicated in a murder case involving the violent clash between two groups of CMAS activists in which one person was killed. The incident had occurred in January when the Bandhugaon unit of the CMAS clashed with the Narayanpatna unit. The complaint said one Piniti Suresh while fleeing from the spot fell down when his rivals attacked him and killed. The mob was led by CMAS leader Nachika Linga and Gananath Patra, the complaint stated. Besides, Patra has four other cases in which he has already obtained bail from higher court. Nachika Linga, whom police describe as a Maoist activist, has since gone underground.

The police circulated posters and announced rewards seeking clue about his whereabouts. Police had arrested nearly 200 people after the Narayanpatna violence, but most of them have since been acquitted. The large-scale acquittals have put the police in a spot, strengthening public suspicion on the so-called anti-Maoist operations by the government.

30,000 birds and animals sacrificed despite ban

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/30000-birds-and-animals-sacrificed-despite-ban/articleshow/11274929.cms

SAMBALPUR: Despite the prohibition of the district administration, more than 30,000 animals and birds were sacrificed during Sulia Yatra at Nuakhala in Kumuria village under Balangir's Tusura police station limits on Tuesday. Devotees and supporters of the tribal community sacrificed the animals, citing the practice to be part of their long-standing tradition.

Large number of police personnel and administrative officials were present at the spot but could not prevent the gory ritual, remaining mute spectators as buffalos, hens and goats in large numbers were butchered in Badkhala and Sankhala near Khairguda village, in violation of the prohibition order of the district administration.

The ritual struck an incongruous note in an otherwise picturesque setting of the Sulia hillock, surrounded by lush, serene forests, about 30 km from Balangir headquarter. The remote villages of Khairguda and Kumuria, located just bellow the hillock, have attracted media spotlight over the past few years due to the large number of animals sacrificed every year, in gross violation of the order of Odisha high court.

"We have proclaimed 144 Cr PC at Badkhala, Sanakhala and Nuakhala and noticed 22 priests u/s 107 Cr PC to prevent animal sacrifice. But we could not stop animal sacrifice this year," a senior officer of Balangir district administration said. However, he assured to take stringent action against those who indulged in the activities violating the court direction.

The tribal people in the region have been protesting the court order, claiming the practice of animal sacrifice to be a 500-year-old tradition of the Kandha people, who believe animal sacrifice is associated with their religious faith. They appease their presiding deity by offering blood of the animals and birds on the second Tuesday of 'Pousa' month every year. "You cannot stop this by using force on us. We have special customs and tradition. Violation of religious tradition by using force is totally unconstitutional," said general secretary of Western Odisha Tribal Welfare Association Nirajan Bishi.

Orissa high court had directed the district administration to prevent animal sacrifice during Sulia Yatra three years ago. The high court passed the interim order, acting on the petition of Sulia Samskar Manch, a Balangir-based NGO, protesting the practice of animal sacrifice.