Gujarat tribals return to village after 12 year exile ends

Nearly 300 people from 29 tribal families are set to return to their ancestral homes in Mota Pipodara village of Danta taluka, Banaskantha district, after living in exile for over 12 years. Their displacement, triggered by an age-old tribal custom known as “Chadotaru”—or the “custom of revenge”—forced them to abandon their homes in 2012-13 following a violent inter-community conflict.According to information,the official rehabilitation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday and is likely to be presided over by Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, according to district officials.
The conflict originated after a man from the Dabhi community was allegedly killed by a member of the Kodarvi community over a decade ago. As per local customs in the tribal belt of northern Gujarat—particularly in Banaskantha and Sabarkantha districts—such incidents invoke Chadotaru. Under this practice, the victim’s community demands heavy compensation from the perpetrator’s side; failure to comply often leads to social and economic boycott, property destruction, and violent retaliation.
In this case, the Dabhi leaders demanded Rs 40 lakh as compensation from the Kodarvi community. Unable to meet the demand, the Kodarvi families faced attacks, destruction of homes, burning of crops, and a complete boycott. Left with no option, they fled their village and scattered across Palanpur and even as far as Surat, taking up menial jobs to survive.
District Superintendent of Police Akshayraj Makwana said that the Kodarvi families approached authorities recently, seeking help to return to their village. The police, along with revenue officials, initiated a series of meetings with panchayat members and leaders from both communities to broker peace.As part of the rehabilitation plan, 8.5 hectares of land—previously owned by the displaced families but left barren during their absence—has been restored for cultivation. “The land has been made cultivable again, and the local administration, with support from NGOs, is assisting the families in building homes and arranging essential resources,” Akshayraj Makwana said.

(State Correspondent)