orissavio

08, May 2017

March 25, 2009

To,

Shri
Jai Prakash

Deputy Election
Commissioner

The Election
Commission

Govt. of India,

Nirvachan Bhawan,

Ashok
Road, New Delhi – 110001

Date: 20.03.2009

Sub:
Disenfranchisement of 20,000 Christian Tribals in the Kandhmahal
District; Plea for Postponement of Elections

Dear Sir,

We the 20 member
delegation of Kandhamal district, Orissa, mostly consisting of the
worst victims of last Kandhamal violence, particularly the local
indigenous women bring to your kind notice that we have been
repeatedly affected by the violence in Kandhamal which are being
purposefully organised by a politically vested section of the people
since 1970 onwards time and again. Some of us have been involved in
restoration of peace and normalcy in the troubled region after each
violence and contributed a lot in bring in normalcy.

That the situation
in Kandhamal is still critical and thousands of people are away from
their native villages, leading a miserable life under a precarious
condition without any livelihood support and life security. That
those a very few who ventured to return back are staying either in
near by towns or in sub -camps without relief and police security.
Most of them are deprived of basic livelihood support and being
threatened time and again by the miscreants.

That the Kandhamal
district comes under Scheduled area out of the total population STs
3,36,809 (51.96%) and the SCs 1,09,506 (16.89%) and the others
2,01,886 (31.15%). The Hindu population in 5,27,757 where as the
Christians 1,17,950.

That in the last violence the entire
population of the district have been disturbed and mostly the total
Christian population and the people from the marginalised section of
the society have been highly affected.
That as revealed by the Govt. records
it was ascertained that 25,177 victims were in the relief camps as
on 04.09.2008 and by now only 3176 people are in the Tikabali 701,
G.Udayagiri 715, Raikia 1622 and 138 k.Nuagaon camps. Surprisingly
there is no record about 22,001 number of victims those who took
shelter in relief camps, whether they returned back to their native
villages or left their villages out of fear and life insecurity.
Apart from this large number of people have fled to different near
by towns out of the district and state who are yet to be identified,
recorded and brought back home. Their loss is yet to be assessed.
There is no survey of people practically returned back to their
villages, constructed their damaged houses, received compensation
for their properly damaged and human loss and leading a normal life.

It is observed that
99% victims are still not in a position to return back to their
native villages, practically construct their houses under Govt.
supervision and lead an usual life. Practically people are under
terrible situation of life in security as the criminals are moving
freely in the area. There is no sustainable livelihood arrangement
for the victims particularly land, fire wood, construction materials
and even water is denied to the victims.

In this situation
it is undemocratic to conduct the elections, particularly for
Kandhamal district, where thousands of people are away from their
native villages and under constant fear and life insecurity.

With kind regards.

(Hemant Naik)
Convenor

(Keshamatai
Pradhan)

Vice-Convenor

Kuidina Forum for Peace and Justice

Teesta Setalvad
Citizens for Justice and Peace

LIST OF DELEGATION

Females:

1.Keshamati Pradhan-
Petitioner and activist

2.Jubati Pradhan
Victim

3.Bhabanti Nayak – Victim and Petitioner No.2 of OHC

4. Ustakia Pradhan
– Victim and Child Development Project Officer

5. Basanti Digal –
Victim and activist