The Bonda Development Agency (BDA) has started an inquiry and survey in the remote Bonda-inhabited villages in Malkangiri district of Odisha following reports that these primitive tribals are migrating to other States in search of employment and that some of their women are being sexually exploited.

A minor Bonda girl recently lodged a complaint with the Mudulipada police station, alleging that a man had lured her through promises and made her pregnant. She is seven months pregnant now. According to media reports, another minor Bonda girl has also come up with a similar allegation but has not approached the police.

Dubious contractors

Both the girls had allegedly fallen prey to dubious labour contractors in adjoining Andhra Pradesh. They along with several other Bonda men and women had migrated to Andhra Pradesh in search of work. It is alleged that labour contractors take these Bondas outside the State as cheap labour.

As allegations are rife about mass migration of Bonda tribals from Odisha in search of livelihood, the administration has taken the issue seriously.

Since Wednesday, officials of the BDA have started an on-the-spot inquiry and survey relating to migration and alleged sexual harassment of Bonda women outside the State.

Proper investigation

Speaking to The Hindu on Thursday, BDA project leader Manga Panna accepted that some Bondas undertake seasonal migration after the end of the kharif season and return by Durga Puja to start agricultural work. Through the on-the-spot inquiry and enumeration, the BDA plans to prepare a proper data base about Bonda migration and realise the reasons behind it. Mr. Panna said the allegations of sexual harassment would be properly investigated by the police and the culprits would be punished.

Since Wednesday, Mr. Panna himself has visited two Bonda villages and within the next few weeks all the 32 Bonda villages would be covered by BDA officials.

Most primitive tribe

Bondas are considered to be one of most primitive tribes in the world.

As per an official survey in 2015, around 8,000 Bonda tribals live in 32 villages of four panchayats under Khairaput block. Their villages are located in remote and isolated hilly region north-west of the Machhkund river. Their habitat in Khairaput block is called the Bonda valley.