While food commissioner to the Supreme Court Harsh Mander found no evidence of starvation deaths in the gutted Dantewada village he visited on Wednesday, he said the tribals there are living in conditions of great destitution, akin to starvation.
‘‘There is not even an elementary sign of state presence. No anganwadi, no pensions; the only thing people said they get are food rations once a month,’’ said Mander.
The bureaucrat-turned-social activist was flown to Morepalli village, after SC deputed him to investigate. Three weeks ago, several homes and granaries here were allegedly torched by the police, leading to the death of six people due to starvation. Mander said he found people placed precariously in an atmosphere of fear.