Displaced Tribals from Chhattisgarh Reluctant to Return Despite Rehabilitation Efforts

Tribal families displaced from Chhattisgarh due to leftwing extremism are reluctant to return despite rehabilitation schemes. Around 10,489 tribal people from Sukma, Bijapur, and Dantewada districts are affected. Tribal rights activists claim around 50,000 people live in deplorable conditions in neighboring states, lacking basic amenities and social security benefits.

Tribal families displaced from Chhattisgarh due to leftwing extremism are unwilling to return to the state despite the availability of rehabilitation schemes and security arrangements through government camps, the government told Parliament on Tuesday.

In response to a question by Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey confirmed that state-formed teams had conducted surveys in adjoining districts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to identify affected families. According to Uikey, 10,489 tribal people from 2,389 families were displaced from Sukma, Bijapur, and Dantewada districts due to leftwing extremism.

The Union Tribal Affairs Ministry, along with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, had asked five states to conduct surveys by December 2019 to ascertain the number of tribal people displaced due to extremism before December 2005. Tribal rights activists estimate that about 50,000 people live in substandard conditions in various settlements without basic amenities and social security benefits.

(With inputs from agencies.)