Govt told to ensure ‘well-being’ of tribals in Kota village

The Supreme Court on Friday came to the rescue of some tribal families, whose dwellings in a village in Rajasthan’s Kota district have allegedly been demolished by some mine owners, by asking the Director General of Police and the Chief Secretary of Rajashtan to ensure their “well-being”.

A Vacation Bench, comprising Justices PC Ghose and Amitava Roy, also directed the DGP and the Chief Secretary to conduct an inquiry into the alleged incident and file their respective reports within four weeks. “The Director General of Police and the Chief Secretary are required to ensure the well-being of villagers,” the Bench said, when a counsel, appearing for a tribal woman, sought a direction to authorities to ensure that no more dwellings are demolished.

The court was hearing a plea filed by Rekha, a tribal who hails from Julmi village of Kherahad in Kota district. She alleged that some mine owners treat tribal villagers as bonded labourers and had demolished 42, out of 60 houses, in the village without even paying them in a bid to usurp their land. The plea also claimed that some unidentified people had abducted Rekha’s husband  Raniya on December 4, last year.

Besides seeking a direction for state police and others to produce Raniya, the plea has also sought an order for registration of an FIR under the SC/ST Act and other relevant provisions against the mine owners for allegedly demolishing the houses of the tribals. It has also sought an “order directing the respondents to re-construct demolished dwellings”.