Video Producer: Fabeha Syed
Video Editor: Sandeep Suman
(This story has been republished from The Quint's archives in light of the film Sonchiriya which releases today, 8 February 2019.)
The Quint goes deep into the beehad (ravines) of MP to meet the last remaining dacoit of India who, after serving a decade-long jail term, has now been living a peaceful family life.
Balwant Singh Tomar, the nephew of famous dacoit Paan Singh Tomar, accuses the makers of the film Paan Singh Tomar of showing an incomplete account of his uncle’s life.
“What I tell you is the truth because I am the only survivor of the 14 people who died in the encounter. Around 10,000 policemen surrounded us, and did firing that lasted for 13-and-a-half hours. Only I survived. After that, I operated the gang in my name and ran it for a further two-and-a-half years.”Balwant Singh Tomar
But that’s not the only reason that Balwant Singh is miffed. He complains that the makers of the film hadn’t paid him what they had promised.
“The makers [of the film] didn’t pay me anything, or the family of Paan Singh Tomar any money. I gave them the interview, lived in the forest with them for 5 months. They did the shooting and promised to pay me 40 lakhs, but gave me only 2 lakhs. I refused.”Balwant Singh Tomar
Balwant Singh had picked up arms at the age of 22. He says he was forced to become a dacoit when the police refused to listen and address the land-grab issue he and his family faced.
“There was a dispute about a land ownership in the village. I talked to the SP collector, and presented my case in panchayat, maha panchayat before 2,000 people. Yet, I wasn’t given justice.”Balwant Singh Tomar
“No one likes to be away from his family. I was forced to pick the gun and live in a forest for eight-and-a-half years like a rebel. I surrendered before the CM and spent almost 10 years in jail. In 1993, I was released from jail and since then, I have been farming and living peacefully with my family.”Balwant Singh Tomar
A content Balwant Singh says he has no regrets as the government closed all the cases on him, and also helped him get his land back. But there is one thing that troubles him about the current government, which he insists is ‘corruption’.
“Rebels are found in the ravines, and dacoits are sitting in Parliament. These leaders and MLAs who are sitting in Parliament wearing khaadi, have filled their bellies with money earned with corruption. No road in Gwalior is in good shape. Where does all the allotted money go? The road isn’t made, but the bill is passed already. Roads are already made but only on paper, and the authorities also get paid for it.”Balwant Singh Tomar
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