ABSTRACT

The evidence from officially registered cases of atrocities against Adivasis, compiled by the National Crime Record Bureau, as this chapter will talk about, reflects upon the patterns and potential trends of atrocities against Adivasis. The high trend of crimes against Adivasis registered in most states, for example shows a clear violation of human rights. The inability of the state to control these incidents exists side by side with its ‘modern economic reforms package’. A telling example, out of many such in the past, is how Adivasis were victimised by the police in an exchange of fire between police and suspected Maoists in the Alubaka forest area in Andhra Pradesh on 16 March 2012. In another incident, the forest officials fired nearly 40 migrant Adivasi huts, originally hailing from the bordering areas of Chhattisgarh, following an alleged demolition drive conducted by them to evict Adivasis at Mothey village in Burgumpadu. The denial of justice to many victims of atrocities raises serious concern about the security of Adivasis. When some of the main perpetrators are members of security forces who cannot be brought to justice, what effect does this have on further alienation and exclusion of Adivasis from mainstream society?