The lackadaisical attitude of the State government in setting up a munsif-magistrate court at Attappady as directed by the Kerala High Court twice has evolved into a situation in which the tribal victims of various atrocities are facing denial of justice.
As they have to travel about 100 km to reach the nearest court at Mannarkkad, most tribal people are skipping the judicial process at present. This has turned beneficial for the thriving land mafias and those who abuse tribal women sexually.
The situation is acute, as people have to stay for at least three days in Mannarkkad to file private complaints at the court there.
“The high court had ordered setting up of a court in Attappady in 2006 after learning about the injustice being faced by the tribal community. In the absence of any positive move from the government, the court ordered it again in 2008. But nothing has happened so far,” says P. Premnath, advocate, of Viswas, an organisation working for people who were denied justice.
Recommendations
According to the local community, the T. Madhava Menon Committee that looked into problems plaguing Attappady and its tribal people had also recommended setting up a court there. The block panchayat had promised it would provide all necessary infrastructure.
The Kerala State Scheduled Caste and Schedules Tribes Commission had also preferred a court in Attapady citing the clout of illicit liquor and the drug mafia. The Thaikula Sangom, a women’s organisation of tribal women, had submitted many complaints against illicit liquor and drugs with the police but could not pursue the cases in court because of the distance involved.
Tribal leaders said there were many cases of alienated tribal land in which the courts in Mannarkkad and Palakkad had directed restoration.
But often, follow-up action is not taken. Cases of sexual exploitation, illegal sand-mining, and deforestation are also on the increase. Justice also eludes seriously injured victims of wild animal attack.
Nearest court is at Mannarkkad
Tribesmen skipping judicial process
