SANE Newsletter

September 2003

Jarawa Expert Committee Report

"Never in the history of mankind had so few been studied by so many for so long."

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in 2001, set up an expert committee to look into the situation of the Jarawas in the Islands under the orders of the Calcutta High Court in a writ petition filed by an Advocate Ms. Shymoli Ganguly. The Committee convened by Mr. NN Jha, Lt. Governor of the Islands, had the following as members:

An extensive study/survey of the Jarawa and the forest was done through multi-disciplinary teams that involved a cross section of disciplines and organizations, the Anthropological Survey of India (ASI), the Botanical Survey of India (BSI). The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, the A and N Forest Department and the Directorate of Health Services of the Local Administration. An exhaustive report was submitted in Jul 2003, which contains some very interesting and crucially new information about the Jarawa. However, considering the gravity of the matter, what was needed was a set of recommendations and suggestions that would enable the formulation of a policy to avoid the demise of this tribe. In this context the report delivers virtually nothing.

The main chapter in the formal report titled Summary and Recommendations, has little that is of worth or that can be used for formulation of any action plan. It is vague and unclear.

According to the MHA, the purpose of conducting 'scientific research and survey' is to explain the causes of change in behaviour among the Jarawa. However a majority of the committee members were not 'researchers or scholars' in this respect.

The report submitted to the High Court contained dissenting notes by two members of the committee, two of the only three who can be considered as independent, Dr. Bhattacharya and Dr. Saxena.

Dr. Bhattarcharya's report deals exclusively with the issue of the Andaman Trunk Road. He clearly advocates that the ATR should be shut. "Closure of ATR", he suggests, "would perhaps be the first gesture of goodwill on the part of the dominant towards an acutely marginalized group almost on the verge of extinction."

Dr Saxena's note is a thorough analysis of the problems of the Jarawas and the A and N Administration's response to these problems. The report runs into more than 134 pages including a Draft Policy for Jarawas.

The fundamental problem, he explains, was the composition of the Committee itself, "The composition of the committee was flawed and precluded the possibility of meaningful discussion to attempt such an exercise. A majority of the members of the committee (four out of seven) were from the A and N Administration and had obvious limitations in expressing their views freely and frankly. Three of them were subordinate to the fourth member. They hardly participated except when asked to respond to a situation/query by their head of organization. Their reactions were naturally tailored to safeguard their position."

The report was submitted to the Hon'ble High Court on 26th July, 2003, but reached Dr. Saxena after two months and had 27 of its pages missing. The pages contained the Draft Policy for the Jarawas. The missing pages were posted in the website of the Administration after this was brought to the notice of the Director of Tribal Welfare. It is not known whether these were submitted to the Court.

There were independent notes submitted by Mr. Som Naidu and Mr. Awaradi.

The report can be considered as the first step. It has been directed that within six months of the submission of the report the Govt. should formulate a policy and plan for dealing with the situation of the Jarawas. This in turn is to be based on a series of seminars and open discussions, which will be organized by the government. The Administration is also mandated to issue public notifications and send invitation letters to invite anthropologists, sociologists, NGO representatives to express their views on the issue based on their information and experience.

However it is sad to note that it was nearly after two months after the report was submitted, it was put up on the Administration's website for the public to access it. It is not known when the seminar(s) will be organized.

Note: the full text of the Experts' Report can be ordered from the Andaman Association on CD (readable on both Apple Macintosh and Windows computers) - see the Andaman Association CDs

 

Visit of the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr. Harein Pathak: a Report

 

Nicobari tribal dance during the visit of the minister

It was a fruitful trip, hopes the Minster of State for Home, Mr. Harein Pathak, the Member of Parliament Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, and the party workers who had arranged for the show at the tribal islands of Car Nicobar and Katchal. The helicopter carrying the Minister, local MP and other dignitaries landed at Car Nicobar on 13th September 2003 at 11 am. Following the schedule, a Tribal Leaders' meeting was convened at Jayanti village, where the party workers seemed to be trying their best to explain, "we are not for any 'vote bank politics', but to serve you tribals".

In the meeting, the Member of Parliament received a volley of praises from the Minister for being a bold representative, not hesitating to pull the collars of the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister for the sake of the islanders. Nothing seemed to move the tribals. The tribals and their leaders intended just one thing, to entertain their guest who had come all the way from Delhi, a far off place indeed, to their peaceful island.

A cheque of Rs. 15 Lakh was handed over for the benefit of the 'Nicobari Athletic Association', as part-payment for the earlier announced Rs. 30 Lakhs. Another cheque was on its way, explained the Member of Parliament, for the Nicobaris who lost coconut and areca nut trees and for those, whose houses were damaged, during the recent cyclone. The meeting proceeded peacefully with a lovely 'non-vegetarian' lunch, consisting of some most exquisite tribal cuisine, offered by the tribals to the Minister and the guests. With a pleasant smile on his reddened face, the vegetarian Minister had to be contented with a couple of boiled potatoes.

The unveiling of the statue of Bishop John Richardson at the Car Nicobar Hospital attracted a decent crowd, a majority of them government officials, tribal as well as non-tribals and party workers. The Minister's speech was an affective one, expressing empathy, wherein the Minister explained how close he was to the tribal ethos.

The next visit was to Katchal, the millennium sunrise island (see SANE News June 1999). Hundreds of Srilankan settlers received the Minister in their traditional way, shouting slogans, 'Bharat Mata Ki… Zindabad'! It was an occasion of get-together for the settlers, awaiting relief announcements for them but due to shortage of time the Minister had to leave for the APWD guest house for a nap. One remembers that the same settlers had held the ex-Member of Parliament tied to a coconut tree, for not having fulfilled his promises of allotment of land (to non-tribals) in a tribal area.

The next stop was East Katchal, one of the remotest areas. The vessel anchored half way to the island, in the mid sea. Since there was no jetty, the Minister, MP, party workers and Bureaucrats had to board an wooden dingi to reach the island. A warm reception again but the stay lasted for less than half an hour. Few promises were made, nevertheless a history was created, with the first ever Minister landing on a remote area such as East Katchal. The vessel took the team back to Katchal Guest House, where a Tribal Leaders' Meeting was convened with the Minister and party workers. Surprisingly, it was for the first time ever that the non-tribal leaders (of the encroachers) stayed out of the meeting; noted a young upcoming tribal leader. May be because the Nicobari Youth Association had filed the first ever PIL demanding clearing of their land from the encroachers. And the matter was hot during the Minister's visit.

The Member of Parliament declared during his speech, that the Sri Lankan settlers would soon be shifted to Shaitan Khari near Port Blair. Then the Minister of State spoke, repeating extracts from his earlier speech in Hindi, "I can see my mother in you ladies", referring to the tribal ladies and "father among you men. I can also see my children among these tribal children. I come from a tribal region in Gujarat and can understand the feelings of the tribals." Towards the end of his speech, he called on the Tribal Leader Harry Soul, to voice their demands, which Pathak assured would be taken up with the higher ups in Delhi. There was complete silence, and the leader of the tribe explained in sign language, that they had no demands.


Mr. B.P.Ray addressed the Nicobarese in Hindi

 This reminds one of Edward Kutchet of Car Nicobar, who gave his land for the defense runway, in return for Nehru's overcoat. Rasheed, a young tribal leader, also acting as the Master of Ceremony, came out and explained in Nicobarese, to speak out if the leaders needed any thing. One from amidst the audience, pulled the microphone and said, "We demand for a road, connecting East Katchal." A sensible demand, as all of us noted that the trip to East Katchal was tiring and risky especially during bad weather. But how would the Administration go about constructing a long stretch of road of twenty Kilometers in a tribal area, remains a puzzle. Another Trunk Road, in better words the Nicobar Trunk Road. The MP Mr. Ray immediately accepted the only demand by saying that a stretch for two Kilometers road will soon be built, of which the master plan would be worked out by a young junior engineer, favored by the party workers. A two-kilometer road that reaches nowhere!

 

Stress Response Test

The Expert Committee study of the Jarawa included one test to determine stress-response. In this experiment a step ladder was improvised with packing boxes. A policeman and a Jarawa were asked to rapidly run up and down for a few minutes. While the policeman's blood pressure, pulse and respiration rate showed a marked increase, the Jarawa's remained steady.

 

 

 

Onge Population Increases by One

A male baby was born to an Onge couple named Mrs Geetai and Mr. Raj Kumar on 20th August 2003 at 03:00 hours at Onge Hut, Dugong Creek, Little Andaman. The baby, weighing 2.8 kg, has increased the Onge population to 96 (or just over 1%). Acording to a communication issued by the Director of Tribal Welfare Andaman aned Nicobar Administration, both mother and baby are doing well. (reported by the Andaman Herald, 30th August 2003)

 

Jarawa, Onges to be brought into the "Mainstream of Life" says Minister of Tribal Welfare

The Union Minister of Tribal Welfare Mr. Jual Oram, reiterated the government's commitment to bring the primitive tribes of the Andamans, like the Onge and Jarawas, into the mainstream of life. In the Editor's conference on social sector issues, the Minister said all possible measures are being taken by the government towards improving the standard of lives of the tribes. Mr. Oram said that the government is seized with the problems of the tribal population and is doing everything possible for its redressal.

As for the primitive tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the minister said, all efforts are being made to protect the interest of these tribes. (PIB release dated 28th August 2003).

 

Surya Stambh at Katchal Island in the Nicobars

A "Letter to the Editor" was published in the New Indian Express of 2nd June 1999 under the heading "Open Katchal to Tourists" as follows:

This is with reference to the report, "Millennium will dawn on Katchal Island" (New Indian Express, 23rd May 1999).

I had the privilege of meeting Dileep Kumar Sharma of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry, a few times during his brief sojourn in Port Blair. Sharma, upon his return from Katchal, had held a press conference at Port Blair where he had favoured installation of a Suraya Stambha in Katchal instead of a Bharat Mata temple. Citing the famous Sun temple at Konark, he said worship of the Sun God was not an alien concept to Indians (Andaman Herald, 20th May 1999). I feel that Sharma's idea is brilliant. Why don't we dedicate a Surya Stambha as a sanctum sanctorum of a Bharat Mata temple at Katchal right next to a church or the local mosque? The local tribals are mostly Christians and a few followers of Islam. In the interest of international integration we may also postpone the Dusserah celebrations this year to 25th December and break Italian bread for passaram. We may also use French champagne for Charnamrut. We may celebtrate the millennium week from 25th December to 1st January next year to commemorate the 1999th birth xear of Jesus Christ.

Coincidentally, Sharma was not "among the first group of tourists." Tourists as a rule are not permitted to Katchal. He obtained a tribal pass from the proper authorities to go there. In fact, in the press conference held at Port Blair, he lamented, "it is unfortunate that the Indian government is not allowing us to visit the islands. When many strategic locations were opened for tourists, why not Katchal?

The road from the "EBK (East Bay Katchal) to the mainland" will have to pass through no forest as reported, but on 1,500 km of Kalapani (Bay of Bengal/Andaman Sea).

The population of Katchal was 5,072 in 1991. Today it is more than 10,000. The island has a primary health centre with a full-time doctor, a senior secondary school, a power house, water works and 18 km of roads which, I think, is a testimony to India's concern for even "teeny weeny island."

Reshmi Nair

(regarding the then planned Millennium celebrations on Katchall, see also the review of P. Sekhsaria's "Troubled Island")

On 1st January 2000 Sadhvi Uma Bharati, then Union Minister for Tourism, decided to dedicate a Surya Stambh (a Hindu shrine) on the Island of Katchal, the so-called Sunshine Island, an exclusively tribal island where all land belongs to the Nicobarese. It is another matter that the project did not go beyond laying a foundation stone on Katchall Beach by the then Lt.Governor I.P. Gupta. One needs to bear in mind that the tribal inhabitants of Katchal are animists, Christians and Muslims.

 

PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed by Nicobar Youth Association - a follow up

The Nicobar Youth Association, Nancowrie, had moved a Writ Petition (WP 110 of 2002) before the Hon'ble Calcutta High Court in August, 2002.

The petitioners stated that in gross violation of the A and N Aborginal Tribes Protection Regulation, a large number of non-tribals have taken up residence encroaching into the tribal land from a long time, among other things. The petitioners prayed for removal of the encroachers from the Nicobar Islands. (See SANE News, November, 2002)

The matter had come up before the Hon'ble Court when a strike of the lawyers was on. It was heard ex-parte by the Hon'ble Court. The following is the operational part of the order.

In view of the above, we dispose of this application by directing the Lieutenant Governor, A and N Islands to consider by himself the representation of the petitioner being Annexure P-11 to the writ petition, if not already disposed of by passing any order. The office bearer of the association shall be entitled to a reasonable opportunity of hearing before any order is passed or decision taken by the Lieutenant Governor on the said representation. If however, the representation is allowed then effective steps shall be taken in accordance with law. In case the prayer made in the said representation is allowed then the direction for reasonable opportunity of hearing is not to be treated as mandatory.

This exercise must be completed within a period of eight weeks from the date of communication of this order. The order that be passed, shall be communicated in writing to the writ petitioner within a fortnight from the date of passing the order or taking the decision there on.

Following the Court's Order, Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor called for a meeting with the members of the Nicobari Youth Association, on August 1st, 2003, at Raj Niwas, where he assured them that their grievances would be redressed and that the non-tribals and the government servants would be evicted at the earliest.

 

Encroachment removed in Car Nicobar following the PIL

Forest Encroachment: the present situation

Following the Supreme Court Order on 7th May 2002, the A and N Administration in order to evict the encroachers had in many places destroyed the plantations of the encroachers. Full grown trees like coconut, areca nut, jackfruit etc. were felled. Apart from this standing crops of the encroachers were destroyed using elephants of the Forest Department.

This had created a panic among the encroachers, many of them wanting to revolt against the politicians and the Administration. At Wandoor the encroachers were seen sitting on the road sides, in pan shops, suspecting each new face to be a Government servant.

The members of SANE had visited the spot in Wandoor soon after the trees were cut down. On talking to the encroachers, it was gathered that they were happy earlier. Most of them were fishermen and supported their family by selling fish. It was the politicians who encouraged them to clear the forest land with an assurance that they would be given legal possession over it. This continued for many years and the Government changed. The new politicians too were giving assurances and eventually this is what has happened. "We are homeless, jobless …" said one of the encroachers.

Almost a year after the trees have been cut, one finds that the panic situation has subsided and life is normal in the encroachment areas. Surprisingly, the areca nut plantation that were brought down have been converted to banana plantation. The encroachers who felt life is over for them look busy fishing for money and growing crops that is easy to grow. They are not really bothered if the Administration chops the banana plantation. It grows fast. Really fast!!!

 

Enroachment pocket at Wandoor (year 2002)

 

After removal of encroachment (year 2002)

 

Banana plantation (encircled) at the removed encorachment (year 2003)

From NDTV News Report: the Lt.Governor tells it as he sees it

Statement by Mr. N.N. Jha, Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor, A and N Islands, on encroachers (of tribal lands):

"Yes, they (the encroachers) have violated the law, in a way. But they have not sinned. They are neither smugglers nor poachers or anti-nationals." 

 

Katchal People Seem to be more Independent than the Car Nicobarese

When in Katchal, the reporter met a Car Nicobari who had come for the Minister's visit to Katchal. Noticing their culture and freedom of speech and expression in Katchal, he grumbled that the people of Katchal are free, independent and voice whatever they want. On the other hand, the Car Nicobarese have been suppressed because of EHL, a tribal cooperative meant for the welfare of the tribes. "We are not as free as the people of Katchal and prefer govt. jobs and stay out of Car Nicobar," he said.

 

The tribals still follow their traditional rituals even after they adopt outsiders' religion

by Denis Giles

 

Andrew amidst his ancestors

It was in between the tribal leaders' meeting with the Minister at Katchal, that I got a chance to visit a nearby hut called "Goal Ghar'. It was a hut similar to the traditional Nicobarese hut, with a ladder to climb up. The hut belonged to one Andrew, a tribal and the head of his family. He was enjoying toddy in the dark, where an electric bulb of 40 W was lit. While entering the hut after removing my shoes, I couldn't avoid a fall on the sandy ground. Peeping inside the hut I could find a few men enjoying toddy along with beedies. But they appeared to be silent as I entered. Andrew then called me and said, "Meet my grandfathers." Sitting amidst them he too seemed lost, except for his clothes that differentiated him from his ancestors.

Andrew's grandfathers were no more and the ones which I saw were wooden statues decorated with traditional ornaments. They wore hats under which there were real bones of his ancestors gathered from their graves. Andrew explained, "We offer them toddy and beedi everyday so that they are happy and stay with us. They were fond of wearing hats, (hints of the British influence) and therefore I adorned them with it." The latest statues made of wood were nearly fifty five years old. There are also similar statues almost three hundred years old in the islands.

  

  

 

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