After the protests of tribals against the newly established CRPF camp in Silger, Bijapur-Sukma entered its 23rd day, a nine-member arbitration cum investigation committee of public representatives (CPR) reached the spot to negotiate with the agitating tribals.
The nine-member committee headed by Dipak Baij, Member of Parliament (MP) on Thursday, interacted with the angry villagers for two and half hours, told FPJ MLA Bijapur Bikram Mandavi. Baij finally asked for a day to inform the state administration about their demands and developments, added Mandavi.
Activist Soni Sori said, the government representatives have spoken to the aggrieving and agitating villagers is a positive development.
In the due course of discussion, the villagers put their foremost demands including immediate removal of the Silger camp, if not possible immediately then specify the time frame, the tribal activist said.
Secondly, an investigating committee must be formed under the retired Supreme Court Judge to investigate the firing incidents which killed the tribal villagers, the erring police officer of firing incident must be prosecuted, anganwadi, school and hospital must be opened in the village, instead of development carried out be contractors, the contracts must be awarded to the villagers, lastly before opening of camps, permission must be taken from the gram sabha, Soni Sori added.
MP Dipak Baij said, we have heard their grievances, informed them of the steps initiated by the government. Hopefully as the dialogue starts, the problem will be resolved soon.
Meanwhile, BJP State President Vishnu Dev Sai objected to the formation of a public representative committee. When the government already ordered for magisterial enquiry, what is the use of formation of CPR, Sai asked?
CPI leader Manish Kunjam also questions the rationality of CPR.
Notably, in the police firing incident which occurred on May 17, three protesting tribal villagers killed on the spot, later on a pregnant lady succumbed to her injuries and around 40 people injured due to police excesses, alleged Bela Bhatia.
