Senior Correspondent
NewsBits.in
RAIPUR: A daylong bandh was observed in Bastar region in Southern Chhattisgarh on Saturday.
The call for bandh was given to highlight atrocities on tribals and to protest the killing of Madkam Hidme, a tribal woman, who was allegedly killed in a fake encounter, said bandh supporters.
Government and private schools remained closed during the day. Business and normal life was also affected due to the bandh. The bandh also had its impact in Bijapur, Kanker, Charama, Pakhanjur and other parts of Southern Chhattisgarh.
Transportation was also affected. At most places, traders also supported the bandh and kept shutters down. The 'Sarva Adiwasi Samaj' had given the bandh call as protest against atrocities on tribals, especially, the killing of Madkam Hidme by security personnel.
The incident had occurred in Gompad last month. The security personnel had claimed that she was a Maoist but locals refuted the charge. They alleged that Hidme was taken away from her house, sexually abused and later killed. In fact, a brand new uniform was found on the body, suggesting that it was a 'staged encounter'.
READ: Questions raised on Madkam Hidme encounter, activists say she was gang-raped and murdered
Activists alleged that it was a fake encounter and demanded a high-level inquiry. The Chhattisgarh High Court had ordered a second post-mortem. Tribal leaders have alleged that the Adiwasis [tribals] are suffering and are being killed in the state that was carved out to ensure justice for the tribal community.
Sarva Adiwasi Samaj leader Prakash Thakur has said that the bandh was observed to highlight atrocities with tribals in the State. He said that not just youth, but elderly and children of the tribal community were being persecuted. He said other groups' support would also be sought in future.
Representative photo [Coutesy e-pao.net]
