Jhabua, (now divided into two with the creation of a separate Alirajpur district) is a predominently tribal district, on the edge of the expanding modern day settlements. It lies in the West of the central Indian State of Madhya Pradesh bordering Gujarat. One could call it the Madhya Pradesh frontier. The ethnic tribals, who have lived in a blind alley or a cul-de-sac far from the madding crowd for centuries, deserved a better deal when India attained Freedom. Tragically enough, instead of widening the horizon of transition, social change and paving the way for the smooth development and progress of the tribals, our leaders who have been shouting from rooftops about their deep concern about the welfare of the tribals, have thrived and remained riveted to the seats of power through the use of muscle power and deceit. This news coverage of a violent and barbaric incident 26 years ago when Digvijay Singh was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh presents a gloomy picture.