Keonjhar: A tribal couple with two kids has been taking shelter in a roadside shanty here for a long time. The reason for their miserable condition is that theirs was a love marriage.
They were boycotted by their relatives and fellow villagers due to this reason. However, neither the administration nor social activists have taken note of their plight.
Panda Nayak of Brahmanigaon had married Sukanti about six years ago. They belonged to different tribal communities. Therefore, their families and villagers didn’t approve of their marriage and ostracised them.
The hapless couple had no way but to leave the village for Keonjhar town. They first took shelter at a Tulashipur resident’s house for some days, but were later thrown out by the house owner. Then the couple made a shanty and has been residing there.
Every morning, Panda goes out in search of daily labour. Sukanti stays in the shanty with the two kids.
The sufferings of the poor family can be alleviated, if they are provided with ration card and a house, some locals said.
Even, Sukanti’s parents have taken shelter on the roadside in the same manner. She has two siblings staying with her parents. Her parents do daily waging to make both ends meet. Whenever there is no work, the family has to stay hungry.
Ramakanta Patra, president of Dalit Advasi Manch, a local outfit, expressed concern over the plight of the tribal families.
“The administration is apathetic towards the family’s plight. Miserable condition of tribals living here has raised a question on the efficacy of tribal development programmes,” Patra said. PNN
