​​​​​​​Chennai journalist’s report gives Irular tribals justice

Within hours of the publication of a report on the Irular tribe families in Tamil Nadu by New Indian Express senior reporter Omjasvin M D, officials swung into action to give justice to the tribals.

Omjasvin reported in today’s editions of New Indian Express that 28 families of Irular tribe living in Vittilapuram village of Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu, lack community certificates and land rights, despite the State and Central governments coming up with schemes to provide them the same.

The report said that the tribals have been living there for three generations, spread over 100 years. They have makeshift houses made of hay and constructed on government lands that are encircled by private plots, which have come up recently. The families lack basic amenities according to the report.

The news report states: “By 2018, all open lands surrounding our village turned into private plots and our entry and exits were blocked. The plot owners do not allow us to pass even when we have to carry a body for funeral,” said Kannan, who is 80-years-old.

“Once, a private plot owner fenced his boundaries and locked the door of the fence, and we were trapped for four days,” added Jaya, a tribal woman. The tribals are labourers in farmlands of dominant caste people in the locality and have also enrolled under the MGNREGA scheme. “Without toilets, we are forced to defecate in the open near the lakeside,” said Jaya. These tribals do not have electricity connections as well, putting them at the risk of encountering reptiles at night.

On seeing the news report, government officials visited the village according to tweet by Omjasvin and identified 66 individuals eligible for the relevant certificates; adding that District Collector Rahul Nath has stated that the process to issue the certificates has begun.

Muzzled Voices salutes Omjasvin for his good journalism