Wanarmare - a people that time forgot- Part 2 of the investigation

BY LYNDON J PINTO & NAWAZ SHAIKH

Panaji: Living without piped water, fans, lights or adequate shelter will surely be a nightmare for people in Goa. But for over four decades, this has been a reality for the families of the nomadic Wanarmare tribe, who have settled on a hillock bordering a forest in Dhabal, Nirankal, for the last four years.

Huts of the Wanarmare tribe which were allegedly destroyed by the villagers.

Thrust into the spotlight a fortnight ago after 13 huts were damaged by angry villagers, 44 adults and 43 children of the tribe have been living in fear and depending on good will of some citizens and NGOs for food and supplies.

Appointed as village leader for his ability to communicate in Konkani, 42-year-old Gopal Vasant Powar explained to Gomantak Times that villagers and his tribe have been peacefully coexisting for half a century, until recent events have filled the tribe's minds and hearts with fear.

“When the villagers attacked our huts, most of the adults were away at work and only two couples and most of the children were in our dwelling area, which is our routine procedure. Out of fear, they fled to the forest to save themselves. After the attack, we are all scared to go to work as the villagers may destroy all our huts,” said Gopal, uncertain about the presence of six armed police personnel at the site.

“We have one proper meal (rice and a vegetable) a day and even for that, we have to depend on the goodwill of some villagers or some NGOs who give us rice or dal. We get paid between Rs 70 and Rs 200 a day for the work we do, but since we have not gone to work after the attack, we do not have money to buy our own food,” said Gopal.

While the tribe is facing a new hurdle following the attack, the living condition of the 22 families for the last four years, has been far from ideal.

During the attack, three huts were demolished while close to 10 were ransacked and damaged. About 15 existing huts, made up of bamboo and coconut palm leaves now house the 22 families.

While there is no electricity or water supply to the dwelling area, under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar donated around 17 solar-panel powered battery packs which lit up a bulb and powered a socket in each hut.

Solar-panel which were stoned by the 'villagers'

However, around nine of these solar panels were destroyed by the villagers in the attack, plunging the tribe's dwelling place into darkness post sunset.

“The lights were extremely important, as they allowed the children to complete their school work after dark. Thirty of our children go to school, eight to a Balwadi and 22 go to a government school. We settled in this village because of the children's education. I am uneducated but I understand the importance of education and hence I want our children to be educated as they can be the future of the tribe," lamented Gopal.

A misconception being spread about the tribe is that they reek, as they do not bathe for weeks, however, in spite of spending close to four hours with the tribe, team GT found no repulsive odour from any of the tribe members they interacted with.

Bathing regularly though requires water, for which, Gopal and his tribe need to walk close to a kilometre away. A little spring provides water to the tribe for the purpose of drinking, bathing, cooking and washing of clothes and utensils.

Boy filling the water for drinking purpose from the spring 

The spring empties into a water body which is divided into two parts: one to collect water and the second for bathing and washing clothes and utensils. However, upon inspection, it was found that the second water body could be contaminated due to the presence of frogs and moss.

“This spring is not perennial and may stop giving water in a month's time, as it has almost dried up. After that, we will have to walk at least three kilometres to the Mhadei river to fetch water. Sometimes the area where we bathe now, is used by buffaloes. They contaminate the water and then we can't use it for weeks,” explained Gopal.

After initially using natural means to heal illnesses, the tribe now go to the local Primary Health Centre to treat any sicknesses.

“We used to treat ourselves using nature first, but now we go to a medical centre as it is easier to seek treatment there. If we don't have money for treatment, we ask our employers for an advance payment and then work for free the next day, depending on the amount borrowed,” said Gopal.

Stating that the tribe would consider moving out of their existing dwelling area only as a last resort, Gopal said “We will shift from here, but request the government to provide us problem-free land and a school in the vicinity for our children.”

“Electricity and water are not important but education is. We don’t mind living in our present condition, as we are happy but we don’t want trouble. We have been living peacefully for decades and wish to continue living peacefully,” said Gopal.

Interestingly, five members of the community own mobile phones. When asked, they said that they mostly use it as a torch and some time, to make phone calls. But they rarely have calling balance in their phones.


Wanarmare Tribes' history
> Believed to be descendent of Ekalavya (from the Mahābhārata)
> Originated in Maharashtra, moved to Goa close to 50 years ago
> Nomadic monkey hunters until Indian Penal Laws banned hunting
> Now work as daily wage workers in plantations and fields
> Do not work at construction sites
> Settled in Nirankal far last four years due to school going kids
> Speak 'Khatkeri' between themselves, understand Konkani
> Not registered under ST or SC in Goa, but Wanarmare Community is an ST in Maharashtra

Wanarmare tribe - victims of misunderstanding, false fear- Part 1

BY LYNDON J PINTO & NAWAZ SHAIKH

Panaji: After coexisting peacefully for close to four decades, the October 16 attack that led to the demolition of three huts and damage to 10 others of the Wanarmare tribe, in Nirankal village of Ponda taluka, left several questions in the minds of people.

Members of Wanarmare tribe in Nirankal village of Ponda taluka.

After meeting with villagers of the area, police personnel and officials of the State government, GT has found that 'fear' is the underlying emotion that led to the attack.

Nirankal village, located 12 kilometres away from central Ponda, has been home to the monkey hunting tribe known as the Wanarmare or Makadmare tribe comprising 22 families.

While local police were engaged in providing security during the BRICS summit, a group of around 20 villagers attacked the tribe's dwelling area, damaged 10 huts and demolished three, in a bid to scare the tribe and make them leave the village.

The motive behind the attack has raised several questions, one of which is, did the attack take place as the tribe were in the process of obtaining election cards?

People from the village were initially hesitant to reveal any information, however, after spending several hours interacting with them, they opened up, but sought anonymity, fearing the long arm of the law.

“Under the Food Security Act, the entire tribe were given ration cards and Aadhar cards recently. We villagers have been struggling to get these cards, while these immigrants (tribals) have got these two government cards easily and quickly,” complained one villager.

The others in chorus said that they were not being given importance and have to follow long procedures, while the tribe is availing government facilities and are being given services at their doorsteps.

The attack took place on October 16, two days after around 20 members of the tribe were asked to be present at the collector's office on October 17, to complete the formalities for their voting cards.

With the Bethora Panchayat likely to get 20 new voters, could the villagers have feared a change in political dynamics?

“These 20 votes could be deciding factors during the panchayat ward election. These people will vote for whoever gives them money as they are uneducated. In addition, the number of tribe members increased after some of them got ration and Aadhar cards, If they get election cards, more of them will come,” said a villager.

Incidentally the Sarpanch of Bethora panchayat Poonam Samanth refused to comment on any of the issues, including the attack and the reason for the attack on the Wanamare tribe.

Local (Shiroda) MLA and Social Welfare Minister Mahadev Naik also refused to speak, but said “This is a sensitive issue, hence I do not wish to make any comment.”

Tribe leader, Gopal pointing out the damage caused by the villagers

While the villagers claimed that the tribals are uneducated, there is a fear that the future generations may be educated and hence they want them out of the village.

“Several of their children go to schools here. We have stopped sending our children to these schools and send them to other schools instead. If they get election cards and are educated, then what else is left?” asked an elder from the village.

Villagers also expressed fear of contracting diseases from the tribe and said “They do not bathe for weeks, have no sanitation and do not go to hospitals when sick. We are afraid that they might carry some unwanted disease that will spread to us.”

One villager alleged that she witnessed the tribe steal arecanut (Supari) seeds from the plantation that the tribe themselves helped cultivate. She added “We fear that village women may be attacked and household goods and valuable items maybe stolen. The tribe also carries spears and bows and arrows. What if they attack us?”

Speaking to Gomantak Times, Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Ponda, Sunita Sawant said, “The Wanamare tribe has no criminal record. There have been no cases filed against the tribe till date for any offence.”

Leader of the Wanarmare tribe, Gopal Vasant Powar denied that the tribe carries weapons. “We only have one bow and arrow for the purpose of our 'puja' and no other weapons. We are helpless if any wild animals attack us. If we had weapons, wouldn't we defend ourselves when the villagers attacked us?” asked Gopal, one of the few Konkani-speaking members of the tribe.

Who does the land belong to?

The land upon which the Wanarmare tribe resides, belonged to the local Communidade, however, it was leased out to the Forest department, who had no issues with the tribe, when they set up camp in the area four years ago.

It is learnt that the lease had expired last year, however, officials from neither the Communidade nor the forest department were willing to comment.

Did the police act in accordance with the law?

Following the attack on the Wanamare tribe, the police refused to register a complaint as the tribals were unable to write, speak or express themselves, and a complaint was registered only after the South Goa District Collector directed the Ponda police to do so.

The Collector also directed the Ponda police to enquire into the matter and deploy police personnel to protect the lives and property of people of Wanarmare community.

Speaking to Gomantak Times, Superintendent of Police, South Goa, Shekar Prabhudessai, said, “The police force was posted at BRICS, when the incident took place. Therefore the police outpost was locked.”

Refuting the allegations of a slow probe in the case, Prabhudessai said, “The investigating officer in this cases had to be of the rank equivalent to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), so accordingly the orders were issued and investigation was carried out. Police have already arrested one fish vendor, Gopinath Gaonkar (41) a resident of Gaular, Nirankal, in the case, who was later released by court on bail.”

Police officials revealed that the role of the panchayat and sarpanch will also be looked at. Since the land belongs to the communidade, the panachayat or gram sabha has no jurisdiction over the land.

“If there is any objection, the Gram Sabha can pass a resolution and convey their grievances to the concerned authorities. They have no right to take the law into their own hands,” said a senior police official.

Reason for the scuffle that broke between Chinese delegate and Indian security officials during BRCIS summit- What exactly happened.

Photo Credit: Atish Naik

BY NAWAZ SHAIKH

nawaz167@gmail.com

Panaji: It was a little box, containing medicines prescribed for Chinese president Xi Jinping, which almost caused a diplomatic incident on Saturday, after Goa Police and Chinese delegates clashed over whether the box and its contents could or could not be delivered to the Chinese head of state.