Gujarat AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava questions police action against tribal villagers in Banaskantha

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Chaitar Vasava on Wednesday visited Padaliya village in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district to verify facts related to an incident involving forest officials, police personnel and members of the tribal community. He met local residents and affected families before addressing the media.

Speaking to reporters, Vasava said he had come to ascertain details of the incident that took place on the 13th, during which, according to him, forest officials and police carried out actions without prior notice. He alleged that a woman’s house was demolished despite her having young children and claimed that around 10 am, a convoy arrived and filled in a well that villagers had been using as a drinking water source.

Vasava further stated that JCB machines dug pits and carried out plantation work on agricultural land where crops were standing. He said villagers questioned why permission from the Gram Sabha was not obtained despite the area falling under Schedule 5, and why no advance notice was issued.

According to him, several villagers were detained on the instructions of senior police officials, and when residents sought their release, police resorted to a lathi-charge.

He claimed that as a result, 32 to 35 people were seriously injured. Vasava also questioned who authorised the firing of 27 tear gas shells and more than 50 rounds. He said that following what he described as excessive force, villagers resorted to stone-pelting in self-defence, after which the situation turned violent. Vasava alleged that the incident involved senior government officers and ministers, and was not limited to lower-level officials.

The AAP MLA further alleged that only a one-sided FIR was registered, naming 27 individuals and mentioning an unnamed mob of 500 people. He demanded that FIRs also be filed against senior police officials and that cases registered against tribal residents be withdrawn.

Refuting claims made by the Superintendent of Police to the media that tribals attacked police with spears and bows, Vasava said no such weapons were in their possession. He stated that tribal communities believe in dialogue and the Constitution, and added that despite discussions lasting three hours, no resolution was reached, culminating in the lathi-charge.

Vasava said the affected families have been living in the area for generations and have filed claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which, he said, should be approved and land titles issued. He alleged that the violence occurred at the behest of the BJP government’s forest minister, with police acting on instructions from industrialists.

He warned that if the demands are not addressed and tribal residents continue to face harassment, people from Ambaji to Umargam would unite and march to government offices, including towards Gandhinagar. Vasava concluded by stating that if justice is not delivered, the Aam Aadmi Party will approach the Human Rights Commission, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, and, if necessary, the United Nations court.