Chhattisgarh Government will be releasing ‘innocent’ Tribal people languishing in jails across State against petty cases. In the first phase it would be releasing 320 tribal people. Thereafter, the State Government would review the cases of tribal people languishing in jails in Left Wing Extremism affected areas.

 

Here also cases of those tribal people will be reviewed who have been detained against petty cases. Also the State Government would try to rehabilitate approximately 2.5 lakh tribal people who have shifted to bordering Telangana State. This was informed by Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma at a press conference held at his official residence in the capital. He was flanked by Congress Legislators Devaki Karma, Chandan Kashyap and Vikram Mandavi.

 

Lakhma said Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has a soft corner for tribal population and he’s serious on tribal issues. When the issue was taken before him, he immediately agreed to the proposal. He alleged that during previous BJP rule, several tribal people were detained against petty cases and they are still languishing in jails.

 

During election, the issue was raised before the Congress leaders including Bhupesh Baghel, AICC In charge P L Punia, T S Singhdeo and it was amicably decided that if the party comes to power such tribals will be released. Accordingly promises were made in manifesto as well.

 

Soon after coming to power Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had constituted a committed chaired by Supreme Court Judge Justice (Retd) A K Patnaik, which is reviewing the cases of these tribal people. On the recommendation of this committee, the State Government would be issuing orders for their release after completing all necessary procedures. The Chief Minister has also constituted committee of Collector and SP at the district level so as to find out how many such innocent tribal people are languishing in jails in their respective districts.