Outfit seeks TN govt intervention in tribals' harassment issue

Days after tribals of a hilly hamlet in Theni district accused some forest personnel of outraging the modesty of their womenfolk, a tribal outfit today urged Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to do justice for them.
"Chief Minister Jayalalithaa should intervene in the matter so that the tribal people who are at the bottom of societal strata get justice," President of Tamil Nadu Tribal People Sangam, P Dillibabu said.
Recently, the tribals had staged a protest alleging that the modesty of their womenfolk was outraged by some forest personnel under the pretext of carrying out frisking operations and petitions were given to Theni District Collector and Police Superintendent seeking action.

In a statement here, the chief of the CPI(M)-affiliated tibal outfit sought relief assistance to the affected tribal families.
Dillibabu also demanded the suspension of two forest personnel, a forest ranger and a forester, for the incident and meting out humiliating treatment to the men folk while they were returning home from the forest after collecting honey and other items.
He also alleged that false cases were registered against some of the residents, who were lodged in prison. He demanded that such false cases be withdrawn.
Theni SP V Baskaran had ordered a woman police inspector to look into the accusations of the tribals that the forest personnel allegedly asked tribal women to strip themselves while conducting checks.

After recording the version of the forest officials, Inspector Ramalakshmi will submit her report to the police and revenue officials for further action, police said yesterday.