“Being Neutral is Our Biggest Crime” - Global Coalition to Protect ...

dependent upon the state for their survival. The Chhattisgarh government
acknowledges that “[t]hose in camps have no source of income” and claims that it
provides daily-wage jobs under the National Food for Work program and the
Employment Guarantee Program. 220 Government data indicates that between 2005
and 2007, 715 public works were sanctioned and 457 works were finished. 221
Residents from different camps, however, complained that the government provides
few livelihood opportunities for them, which are not adequate to replace their
previous income. Many camp residents also stated that the manual labor
opportunities under the government employment schemes are not sufficient to
employ all camp residents. They said that the lack of jobs left them idle. 222 “In my
village, I used to do my work. But here there is nothing to do. I am idle all day,” said
a resident of Injeram camp. 223 Many, in desperation, have used up their savings
because there is no alternative employment. 224 Another resident described the
livelihood crisis he was facing and said, “We have got employment only once last
year … We ask around for whatever manual work is available and try and earn some
money. When I was in [name of village withheld], I had fields and used to cultivate
them. Now it is just an overgrown jungle that we cannot cultivate anymore.” 225 “I
have lots of expertise in agriculture, but it is not being put to use here,” complained
another resident of Konta camp. 226
The Chhattisgarh government claims to have started vocational training classes such
as sewing and weaving to help villagers generate employment. 227 However, camp
220 District Collector, “Brief Memorandum [Dantewada (undivided)],” 2007.
221 Ibid.
222 Human Rights Watch interviews with camp residents from Konta, Injeram, Dornapal, Errabore, Jailbada, and Jangla camps,
and former residents of Mirtur and Kasoli camps, December 9-14, 2007.
223 Human Rights Watch interview with V3 (who chose to remain anonymous), camp resident, Injeram camp, December 9,
2007.
224 Human Rights Watch group interview GR3 with former residents of Mirtur camp (who chose to remain anonymous), other
details withheld.
225 Human Rights Watch group interview GR1 with residents (who chose to remain anonymous), B1 permanent housing site,
Dantewada district, December 15, 2007.
226 Human Rights Watch interview with V5 (who chose to remain anonymous), camp resident, Konta camp, December 9, 2007.
227 Human Rights Watch interviews with K. R. Pisda, district collector of Dantewada district, Dantewada, December 10, 2007;
S.P. Sori, district collector of Dantewada district, Dantewada, January 28, 2008.
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