Murder most foul

Narayan Hareka, Naib-Sarpanch, was murdered on 9 May 2008. Narayan, belonging to Kandha tribal community, hails from Kambivalsa in Borigi GP, a remote village in Narayanpatna Block of Koraput district in Orissa. A dedicated crusader, Narayan fought many social evils like liquor brewing and private money –lending. Pioneering the land struggle in Borigi, he had also taken up cudgels against land alienation by non-tribals and eviction of tribals for a tiger sanctuary. He spearheaded the tribal self-rule campaign in his area, with the support from Orissa Adibasi Manch for enacting PESA in the state in its true spirit.

He was an office-bearer of ANKURAN. As Naib-Sarpanch in his GP, he exposed the corrupt activities of local contractors involved in NREGA and several other social security schemes.

There were indiscriminate arrests and torture of tribals, and even rape of women by Gray Hound police, OSAP, CRPF and the local police. He, under the banner OAM, fought for the victims of these atrocities. Recently when the ultras lynched a local non-tribal landlord, warning all of the contractors and liquor brewers to leave the area, Narayan was targeted by a group of landlords who thought that he was conniving with the ultras. On the contrary, he was a true believer of democratic and constitutional process. He never supported violence and had become a major detractor to offenders.

Undaunted by the threats he marched ahead with his task. He found a fitting ally in his wife Kantamani, ex Naib Sarpanch. Narayan was conversant with Telugu, besides his native KUI tribal language from Oriya

On 9th May 2008, he came to the block headquarters to collect some data on NREGA and was to return to his in-law's house in Dandabadi, 5 km away from Narayanpatna. That evening at about 7.30 pm, he was found lying severely injured in the outskirts of the town and brought to local PHC for treatment. His right eye was pulled out, throat was cut and he suffered a deep gash in his neck. His right hand was broken into pieces and face severely disfigured. But he was alive. As there was no facility in the PHC, there was no scope for any treatment. Still interestingly enough, the doctors kept Narayan in the hospital and referred him to Vizag only at 11.30 pm, that too without providing an ambulance for the shift. With great difficulty, a commander could be arranged and attempts were made to move him to Vizag, which is 200 km away, in a vehicle sans the much-need life supporters. Narayan died on his way, just after 20 km of travel, at Sarapalli village and his mortal remains were brought back to his village.

Police registered a case of accident and seized Narayan's badly mangled motorbike. Coming under great pressure from the people, the police traced the tractor of the non-tribal contractor, which hit Narayan's bike. Narayan's wife does not agree that it was a simple accident. She says that a group of contractors has just murdered him and thrown him on the road to make it look like an accident. If it was an accident that occurred hardly a kilometer away from the police station, it is hard to believe that it went unreported.

A nexus among the contractors and the police is suspected. The PHC authorities may also be hand in gloves in producing a concocted post- mortem report, it is suspected. No magistrate was present during the post-mortem.
As the circumstantial evidences point to an organized crime, it is desirable that a full-fledged inquiry is held into the macabre
incident and culprits are brought to book. We hope the Orissa government will do the needful and justice to the bereaved family.

We request you to do the following-

Write to Collector & District Magistrate Koraput, Orissa and police, to conduct a crime branch inquiry and take stern action
against the culprit.Email:Collector & District Magistrate Koraput<dmkoraput@ori.nic.in> Chief Secretary of Orissa<csori@ori.nic.in>

Write to CM, Orissa, Bhubaneswar and MoRD, GOI, New Delhi to look
into the pilferage in NREGA and other social security scheme in
Narayanpatna block.
Email: Shri Navin Patnaik <cmo@ori.nic.in>

Extend solidarity with the family by writing condolence letters to
Smt Kantamani Hareka, At-Kambivalsa, PO-Borigi, Via-Narayanpatna,
Dist-Koraput, Orissa-765014 and if you feel like providing some
financial assistance, please send it to the same address or in the
name of ANKURAN.
THis letter can be sent c/o Bidulata
Email:bidulatahuika@rediffmail.com