-- V.B.Rawat, May 2005

According to local medical officials, more then 21 children died of measles last week in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar-Pradesh. The rampage of measles in this region has continued uninterrupted for a lengthy period of time. Almost all these children belong to the Kol community, which is a tribal community. Unfortunately, due to the government's apathy, Kols are not declared as tribals in Uttar-Pradesh while just one kilometre away in Madhya Pradesh, they are recognized as tribals and have the rights to minor forest produce.
 
It is easier for officials to make statements about various diseases that address why tribal children are dying. The food situation in tribal families is grim. During the last few years, tribals have been dislocated from their place. In fact, in the district of Chitrakoot, where Kols are officially not scheduled tribes, their access to the forest is completely at the mercy of the forest officials. Hence, in the absence of the right to natural resources, they are dying slow death.
 
The government must look deeper into this aspect of the measles issue. Just treating it as yet another epidemic will not cover up the issue of hunger deaths.
 
While the government at the Center is planning a 'protection of tribal land act', it will not help the Kols in Uttar Pradesh. As a result, the tribe will continue to be exploited by government officials as well as those powerful social forces who want to use them as their shield.
 
The government of Uttar Pradesh must look into the matter seriously and take long-term measures to deal with such a disturbing situation.