PONDA: It is nearly a month since the huts of the Vanarmare tribals were attacked and demolished at Nirankal. Since then they have got some relief in the form of water tanks and repairs to the huts existing on the comunidade forest land, besides the attention of the people from across the State visiting them with necessities and other items.
Their leader Gopal Powar admits there is no shortage of food and the settlement is getting a facelift. On Saturday around five electricity poles were unloaded and will be erected in a few days, with streetlights finally lighting up the area.
Yet, when Herald visited the settlement on Saturday, there appeared to have been no major changes in their lives. They were still attired in their old clothes, though there are plenty of new ones gifted to them. Powar explained this saying, “We are living in surroundings with mud. People ask us to clean up and we also now get sufficient water for bathing. But if we want to live like you we need a permanent home of our own. Please see to it that we get such a home, here where we are currently residing.”
He added, “During the monsoon water from hills rushes through our huts. Our utensils get washed away, the floor on which we sleep gets wet. If we want to improve our living, we need permanent houses.”
Queried on whether the villagers have been opposing the tribe living there, he said they hoped the villagers would not harass them as they have no issues with the people.
“Please, please help us get a permanent home,” Powar pled, saying they want to join the rest of society. “We want at least one permanent home of our own, source of livelihood, job and education. This is our demand,” he added.
