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esidents and activists stated that very few camps offered such classes, that they
were generally run for a short period, and that villagers were not able to use these
skills to generate any income. 228 A teacher from Bijapur who visits camps to
encourage children to attend schools said,
Initially, in 2005, the government provided some vocational training—
sewing, basket-making. Now there is no training in the camp. People
have not been able to use this training for any employment and
government does not provide any assistance to give them any
employment. 229
Volunteers who work in camps in Bijapur district said, “No one has benefited in any
way from the [vocational] training. They may make some things for themselves, but
make no income. Some people have kept sewing machines, but for personal use.” 230
Activists and volunteers working in camps pointed out that camp residents no longer
celebrate traditional tribal festivals. “We can monitor nutrition and health indicators,
provide clean water and vaccinations,” said one activist working in the camps. “But
where are the songs? Where are the festivals? I have not heard a single family play
the drums in the evenings in over two years. Their cultural identity has been
destroyed and that is a wound that will be impossible to heal,” he said. 231
Unofficial camps and permanent housing sites
Government data for January 2007 shows that there are government-run camps in
Bijapur, Cherpal, Gangalur, Awapalli, Basaguda, Usur, Bangapal, Kasoli,
Bhairamgarh, Pharsegarh, Matwada, Nelasnar, Jangla, Kutru, Mirtur, Bedre, Dornapal,
Errabore, Injeram, and Konta. 232 In 2007, as noted above, at least four additional
228 Human Rights Watch group interviews GR2 with residents of Dornapal camp (who chose to remain anonymous), location
withheld, December 12, 2007; GR8 with volunteers working in camps (name and details withheld).
229 Human Rights Watch interview with T-1 (who chose to remain anonymous), government teacher in Bijapur, location
withheld, December 14, 2007.
230 Human Rights Watch group interview GR8 with volunteers working in camps (name and details withheld).
231 Human Rights Watch interview with N2 (name withheld), local activist, Dantewada, January 28, 2008.
232 District Collector, “Brief Memorandum [Dantewada (undivided)],” 2007.
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Human Rights Watch July 2008