Arrest MP forest officials who opened fire on tribals: Outfit

An organisation working for oppressed classes on Tuesday demanded that forest officials who opened fire on tribal farmers during an eviction drive in Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh be charged with attempt to murder and arrested immediately.

Five tribal persons were injured in the July 9 firing at Siwal village in the district, around 240km from the state capital Bhopal.

Talking to reporters here, Madhya Pradesh Jagrit Adivasi Dalit Sanghatan member Madhuri said forest officials who opened fire on tribal people should be charged with attempt to murder and arrested immediately.

"Besides, the Chief Minister should ensure that false police cases registered against tribals are scrapped immediately and the Forest Right Act, 2006 was implemented in toto, she said.

A forest department team allegedly armed with pellet guns had opened fire in "self-defence" when tribal farmers hurled stones at them at Siwal, the authorities there had said.

The team claimed it had gone to clear forest land encroached upon by local tribals.

"A team of forest officials along with the Sub- Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and policemen numbering 300 with JCB machines had gone to evict tribals from land which was in their possession according to the Forest Right Act, she said.

Madhuri, who goes by one name, said while officials were destroying the crops sown in five agriculture fields which were part of the encroached land, the tribals gathered there and raised slogans against them.

An argument broke out between the two sides, following which the forest officials opened fire, injuring five tribals, she said.

She said the SDM present on the spot had clearly said he did not order firing.

The forest officials should have issued warning and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the crowd, the activist said.

Instead, they directly opened fire which was unlawful and for this they should be booked and arrested, the activist said.

After the incident, Chief Minister Kamal Nath had ordered a magisterial inquiry and warned that no guilty person will be spared.

Leaders of the ruling Congress and opposition BJP had strongly condemned the firing incident.