Malappuram: As Malappuram district collector Amit Meena began the magisterial probe into the alleged encounter killing of two Maoist leaders in the Nilambur forests, many from tribal settlements complain of threats and possible retaliation from insurgents. The anti-Maoist operation last month has heightened woes of the tribals in at least seven colonies in the Karulayi and Vazhikkadavu forest ranges. Thirty-one tribesmen from Poolakkappara, Punchakkolli, Mundakkadavu, Karuvarakundu Chery and Poovathipoyil have appeared before the district collector during a hearing on Saturday at Padukka forest station in Muthedam describing their miseries after the anti-Maoist raids.
The collector held the sitting as part of the magisterial probe into the killings. Notably, nobody from Uchakkulam colony, a settlement near the forest station where the Maoist sightings had been reported several times in the past, came for the hearing. The collector said he would submit the report within three months.
Most of the tribesmen were confined to their homes due to fear and are not able to venture into the forest seeking their livelihood.
“The police told them not to go to deep into forests because of the threat. Most of the settlements are in a state of panic because of police raids and beefed up security. It has affected their lives as they are not able to procure seasonal forest produce for their living,” said Jayaprakash Nilambur, an environmental activist. The police is providing foodgrains and other essentials in colonies which are said to be more prone to Maoist retaliation. But they could not live without going to forests, and the cloud of fear has affected their normal life, he said.
