Keonjhar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint and sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the District Magistrate-cum-Collector of Keonjhar, regarding alleged human rights violations affecting the Juang Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). The commission has directed officials to submit the report within four weeks.
The NHRC issued the order Friday after reviewing a petition filed by human rights activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy. The petition alleges that negligence and apathy on part of state’s ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare department and the Keonjhar district administration have resulted in severe hardships for the Juang PVTG community, including lack of all-weather roads, healthcare, and education.
Tripathy further alleged that many villages lack basic infrastructure, forcing residents to transport patients on makeshift cots. Despite Keonjhar district having one of the highest allocations from the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, authorities have failed to address these pressing needs, he claimed.
The petition highlighted the plight of Juang tribesmen living in 114 villages without basic amenities. The Juangs are one of the 13 PVTGs among the 62 tribal communities found in Odisha, who primarily reside in and around the Gonasika Hill area of Banspal block in Keonjhar district.
Citing a specific case, Tripathy reported that due to inadequate healthcare facilities, 35-year-old Sunia Juanga, his wife Rashmi, 30, and their 6-month-old daughter, Nani, died in Jantari village. Their three surviving children are now orphaned. The petition alleged that health services are virtually nonexistent, with the nearest primary health centre located 15 km away and the block headquarters at about 40 km distance. A few Juang families benefit from the state-sponsored Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) or the National Health Card, the complaint stated.
Additionally, the petition contended that there is no official database tracking minor orphans or child marriages within the Juang community. It accused state authorities of negligence and inaction, raising serious human rights concerns.
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The petition further alleged that due to administrative failure, Juang orphans are left without access to even basic necessities. It cited government inaction, corruption, and systemic neglect as contributing to the deprivation and suffering of the PVTG Juang community.
PNN
