Diddalli (Madikeri): The Diddalli tribals are living under the watchful and alert eyes of the police. Security has been stepped up in Diddalli area ever since the tribals started fighting for their rights over land that they have been living on over decades. However, the police has turned all the more alert since rumour mills were set abuzz stating that the tribals are being instigated by the Maoist elements to fight against the government.
What fueled the suspicion was the adamant attitude of the tribals who rejected the offer of the government to provide sites elsewhere. After the protests were over, the police continued their duty here, specifically documenting the persons who visit Diddalli. There was information that some unidentified persons had been visiting Diddalli area before the protests and the rumours were later linked to Maoists.
Despite IGP Vipul Kumar stating that the police does not have any details on the Maoist movements here, the cops have been deputed at the spot mainly with the aim of gathering details on the movements of the locals as well as unknown persons.
Meanwhile, the plans of the district administration to provide land in Somwarpet to the Diddalli Adivasis has met failure with the Somwarpet Taluk Panchayat resolving to oppose the proposal. Their argument is that along with the Adivasis of Kodagu, several people from Bangladesh, Assam, Udupi, Hunasuru and other places had come and settled in Diddalli several years ago and as an outcome of the protests, even these migrant workers would be considered as Adivasis and land would be given to them.
The Somwarpet TP members have said that only 36 families are genuine Adivasis living in Diddalli who deserve to get land. The huge crowd that gathered for the protest mainly comprised of migrant workers who were only trying to make hay while the sun shined.
