Kerala- A Closed Kingdom

Kerala’s tribals aren’t getting vital post-­flood aid

- Thufail

When Kerala faced its worst flood in a century, the tribal population was first in the firing line. The hills of Wayanad, Thrissur, and Idukki, where dam gates were opened for the first time in years, are where adivasi communities in the state are concentrated. Outlook decided to visit some of these colonies after obtaining clear leads from activist sources that tribals were still stranded even as late as August 25, and that neither relief nor media attention was reaching them.

When we telephone Thrissur’s super­ intendent of police (SP), he is dismissive of the notion that adivasis have been affected on a large scale. The district collector has little to add, directing us to the tribal development officer (TDO)— who says much the same, and warns us that there could be restrictions on ent­ering the colonies, although media may be permitted.