Sep 10, 2014, 07.04PM IST TNN[ Rashmi Drolia ]

RAIPUR: Nearly a decade after the launch of controversial anti-Naxalite movement Salwa Judum in Bastar, Chhattisgarh government is now making efforts to bring back and rehabilitate thousands of tribals, who had fled to neighbouring undivided Andhra Pradesh, in their respective villages — a step aimed to build confidence among people that the Maoist-affected tribal region is fast returning to normalcy.

Forced to get dislocated from Bastar’s ground zero fight between state security forces and Maoists during and after Salwa Judum movement since 2005, estimated more than 50,000 tribals went to settle at Khammam, Karimnagar, Warangal in Andhra Pradesh and parts of Odisha. Devoid of voting rights and other facilities, tribals of Chhattisgarh have been caught in a crossfire.

Inspector general of police, Bastar, SRP Kalluri said, “Tribals are attached to their land and always want to come back to their own villages. About 500 families from Bhejji region in Sukma district contacted us to come back.” Kalluri said that taking into consideration their desire to return, Chhattisgarh government and state police has planned to resettle them after monsoon.

“Under various schemes like Atal Awas Yojna and Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, the project will be carried forward initially with 500 families as large scale resettlement carries security risk. Hence, we have asked those families to get in touch with neighbouring villages for discussion, which will strengthen the bonding between them. Once, the first resettlement goes smoothly, more families would be called upon,” the IG explained.

Keeping it inconspicuous, Chhattisgarh government has asked for 10 battalion of Central Reserve Police Force and would deploy at least two company of CRPF at Bhejji. However, the process would begin only after monsoon.

Over 50,000 tribals have been identified from interiors of Sukma, Konta and Bijapur regions who have dislocated to parts of AP after advent of anti-Naxalite movement Salwa Judum as they were caught between physical and mental harassment at the hands of both Maoists and security personnel, IG said.

According to a report, with initiation of Salwa Judum around 3.5 lakh tribals — Koyas, Dorlas, Halwas, Bhatris, Murias and Marias— were affected, many of whom were sent to Salwa Judum camps. But they had to face death and attack by Maoists on returning home to collect their belongings. Migrating to AP and Odisha didn’t bring peace either. Without identity documents, they can’t vote or have access to welfare schemes.

However, state government’s project to resettle them brings a major concern of their security and rehabilitation, food, livelihood etc for which Kalluri said would be taken into consideration steadily.