Historical Background of Displacement
- In 2005, ~50,000 Gond tribals were displaced from Chhattisgarh due to the ‘strategic hamleting’ programme (modeled on Vietnam war tactics) to combat Maoists.
- These tribals were relocated to roadside camps in then-Andhra Pradesh (now Andhra Pradesh and Telangana).
- This tactic had colonial echoes, having been used in 1949 in Telangana to fight communist revolutionaries by forming “special police constables” from tribals.
Relevance : GS 1(Society ,Tribes)
Militarisation and Tribal Agency
- Many displaced tribals, unable to return due to Maoist threats, later joined security forces.
- Their deep knowledge of terrain, language, and culture made them highly effective — even outperforming paramilitary and non-tribal police.
- Several Maoists surrendered and also joined these forces.
- Their contribution is seen as crucial to recent military gains against Maoists in Bastar, aligning with Home Minister Amit Shah’s 2026 deadline to end the insurgency.
Lack of Rehabilitation and State Support
- Despite their role in the state’s counter-insurgency success, these tribals continue to live in legal limbo:
- No rehabilitation policy, no land rights, and no tribal recognition in the host states.
- Repeated efforts to secure Forest Rights under Clause 3.1(m) of FRA (2006) have been stalled for years.
- This clause mandates alternative forest land for those displaced before the cut-off date (Dec 13, 2005).
- Chhattisgarh government has not processed applications or raised the issue with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments refuse to grant tribal status, viewing them as migrants.
Bureaucratic and Political Apathy
- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) ordered a survey of displaced tribals in 2019 — still incomplete, with excuses like COVID-19.
- Earlier statements from Chhattisgarh even denied displacement entirely, illustrating official denialism.
- Unlike the Bru Reang case (2019), where the government offered options and resettlement support, the Gutti Koya tribals have been ignored by both State and Centre.
Human Rights Violations and Social Discrimination
- Displaced tribals face:
- Atrocities from forest officials and police.
- Rejection by local tribals, who see them as encroachers.
- Violent demolitions of homes built in forests.
- Exclusion from PDS, healthcare, education, and job quotas due to lack of tribal recognition.
Inter-generational Crisis
- Over two decades, a new generation has grown up in AP & Telangana:
- They are integrated into local economies, prefer staying due to better livelihood opportunities.
- However, they live without identity security, land tenure, or legal recognition.
Pushback by Host States
- Telangana has taken over tribal farmlands, planting trees to reclaim forest cover.
- Andhra Pradesh has destroyed shelters built by tribals, effectively pushing them back to Chhattisgarh.
- Both states provide minimal humanitarian aid, citing lack of legal mandate.
Urgent Need for a National Policy on IDPs
- India lacks a national/international legal framework for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
- Displaced tribals are stuck in a stateless existence within the Union.
- There is a growing call for:
- Permanent resettlement in host states.
- Tribal recognition and rights under the Constitution and FRA.
- Intervention by the Union Government, similar to past instances (e.g., Mizoram, Bru crisis).
Key Takeaways
- Strategic militarisation has ironically relied on displaced tribals, yet offered them no socio-legal settlement.
- The issue highlights deep contradictions in India’s tribal policy — valorising tribals in security discourse but ignoring their civil rights.
- Permanent rehabilitation is essential not just for justice, but for long-term peace and development in the Red Corridor.
