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.