KALPETTA: Two disturbing incidents of brutality against tribal communities have tarnished Kerala's reputation, sparking widespread outrage. Both incidents occurred in the constituency of OR Kelu, the Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Tribes.

Adivasi youth dragged by car, suffers severe injuries

In the first incident, 48-year-old Mathan, a native of Chemmadu tribal settlement in Koodalkadavu, was brutally dragged for over half a kilometre by a group of young men in a car. The incident occurred near Koodalkkadavu on the Pulpally road on Sunday evening. The accused are Wayanad Kaniyambatta native Muhammad Arshid, and his friends Abhiram, Vishnu and Naveel Kamar. The Maruti Celerio car (KL 52 H 8733) used by the accused was later taken into police custody from Kaniyambatta. The car belongs to a relative of the first accused Arshid.

Mathan is currently undergoing treatment at the Wayanad Medical College. Mathan suffered severe injuries, with his skin scraped off entirely. His foot was badly damaged, with exposed flesh on both heels. He also sustained serious injuries to his back and left thumb. The skin on the sole of his foot was completely torn off. He also lost the flesh on the buttocks. Despite locals chasing the car, the perpetrator dragged the victim for over a kilometre before releasing them.

It is said that the violence against the innocent Adivasi youth was a result of a verbal altercation that the accused had with another group that had come for tourism. Mathan, along with his brother Vinu, had come to a shop in Koodalkadavu to buy some items. A group of young men parked their car in front of the waiting shed and began their violent actions. They started throwing stones.

Adivasi woman's body taken to crematorium in autorickshaw
MANANTHAVADY: The body of 76-year-old Chundamma, a native of Veetichal in Edavaka panchayat, had to be taken to the crematorium in an autorickshaw due to the unavailability of an ambulance. Chundamma's relatives had requested an ambulance from the Scheduled Tribe Department. Although they waited for a long time, the ambulance did not turn up. Following this, the relatives called an autorickshaw to take the body to the crematorium.

Two people sat in the back seat, laying the body across their laps. The body was in a position where parts of it were hanging outside the auto-rickshaw as it made its final journey. The Scheduled Caste Welfare Department is supposed to provide a free ambulance for needs, including the funeral. Tribal Promoter Mahesh, who failed to inform the authorities about the need for an ambulance, has been suspended.