SC lens on tribal deaths in anti-Maoist ops in Chhattisgarh

Amid growing concern over human rights violation in Chhattisgarh, the Supreme Court has decided to get an independent opinion on the alleged 2009 killings when security personnel shot dead 22 tribals, branding them Maoists.

“We want to know what is happening in the state. People are to be given protection by the state government. Somebody should be asked to look into the allegations and give a report,” said a bench of justice V Gopala Gowda and justice Arun Misra, asking solicitor general Ranjit Kumar to suggest who could be entrusted with the task.

The court was hearing a petition filed by activist Himanshu Kumar and family members of those killed. The petitioners alleged that security personnel, and the now disbanded Salwa Judum, had staged fake encounters to gun down innocent tribals on January 8, 2009, and March 18, 2009. They demanded constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the incidents.

Chhattisgarh has been in the news with social activists and journalists accusing the state government of hounding them and branding them Maoist sympathisers.

The solicitor general defended the security forces, saying they have been killed in ambushes by Maoists. He argued that innocent personnel were being targeted as the Maoists had become experts in landmine blasts.

On behalf of the petitioners, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves complained that the state police did not register FIRs, even where people were liquidated in extrajudicial killings. On hearing the counter allegations, the bench remarked, “Both are not good. This is not done. In a situation like this, what should be done?”

Gonsalves said no formal FIR had been registered till date. He requested the court to constitute an SIT, but the bench asked the solicitor general to suggest a person who could submit a report. It also allowed Gonsalves to give names for the purpose and listed the matter for further hearing on May 13.