Tribal families in Kerala return to forest to escape alcoholism

The tribal families of Mukkumpuzha colony in Athirappilly have been forced to leave their houses and move back deep into the forest to escape alcoholism and the influence of illegal liquor vendors, who have turned their life into a living hell.    

As many as 40 persons belonging to 14 families have abandoned their houses in the tribal colony and started living in temporary tents inside the forest to escape alcohol. The group, including women and children, are living in the tents in the forest near Peringalkuthu dam. 

The tribals took the decision to leave the colony after alcoholism started griping on women and children. The tribals reported that outsiders would bring alcohol from the outlets of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation and sell it to the residents.

“Men and women of the colony have become addicted to liquor. Even children fall victims to alcoholism under the influence of the vendors who make huge profits out of it. The illegal liquor vendors buy alcohol from Chalakkudy, more than 25 km from the colony, and sell it for a higher price to the people here," Ramachandran, the tribal chieftain told Malayala Manorama. 

Things worsened when a few tribal people tried to prevent the illegal sale of liquor. The tipplers and the liquor suppliers started attacking women and children in response.  They also targeted houses of those who opposed the liquor mafia in the colony, forcing the families to leave their homes. 
 

"It is difficult for us to stay in the forest. But the alcoholics would not allow us to have a peaceful life in the colony. We used to run from our houses with children, sometimes at night, after they targeted our homes," said Indira, a tribal woman. 
 

With the tribals moving in to the forest, more than 20 children have stopped going to school. During the day, they fish and collect wild honey. The tribals also do not have access to a hospital.
 

 Police and Scheduled Tribes Development Department have been maintaining a silence about the issue.

"Authorities and police would ask us to solve the problem among us. They dismissed it as a small problem," said Satendran. However, the tribals do say that they want to go back to their houses. 

• Tribals of Kerala
• Liquor ban
• Beverages
• Athirappilly