Journalism in India

Not sure if its ok to post this here, but it is my first attempt at journalism. So I want to publish it far and wide. I will follow this up with more indepth stories regarding the issues going on here. Please check out my home page to follow these stories.

Any criticism, comments or discussion welcome.

15 tribal villagers brutally killed by Maoists in Central India by Matthew Morris

Dornapal refugee camp in Chhattisgarh State, 24th May
2006: When the 52 inmates from the camp decided to
return to their village Manikonte deep in the forest,
to pick up food and personal belongs, they were
ambushed by an armed group of Maoists. In the ambush
two of the villagers were killed, the rest were
kidnapped.

Within the hour the police where informed of the
incident and proceeded to the village, but it wasn’t
until 3 days later that they followed the tracks any
further into the forest.

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Sodi Bhima: His 22 year old son was killed

"Are eyes and hands were bound and we were where led
into the forest," said Sodi Bhima. "We were only
given a little rice and fried frog to eat. To drink
we were given urine. They asked us if we supported
Salwa Judum {a State supported peoples movement} or
them. To save our lives we said we supported the
Maoists. But they tied our hands and feet together
and beat us with sticks."

On the 28th 13 bodies the villagers were found near
the camp by the roadside, the same day the rest of the
villagers were released. "They were killed
intentionally brutally, with blows from sharp
weapons," said the district Chief Medical Officer, Dr
G N Thakur, "Their eyes were pierced before killing
them; they tried to hurt them."

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Podiyam Hirme: With her husband and brothers gone she
has no means of support

Podiyam Hirme was one of those kidnapped cried "I have
lost my husband and my two brothers. Now I am alone
in the world".

Now back at the camp the inmates fear for their
safety, with the government providing very little
security for the 10,000 people living there. Only
four unarmed Special Police Officers, recruited from
the camp inmates, are their protection.

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Ram Bhavan Kushwaha: Death threat

The local elected leader and Salwa Judum activist, Ram
Bhavan Kushwaha, has received death threats from the
Maoists. Initially the government provided four armed
guards, but now he has to make do with a rifle that
never leaves his side. "If the Maoists come to kill
me I will take one or two of them with me."

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