RANCHI | Saturday, August 22, 2009 | Email | Print |
Emissaries of Arcelor Mittal driven out from Torpa
Moushumi Basu | Ranchi
The world steel giant, Arcelor Mittal, which has proposed to set up a 12 MTPA steel plant in the State, was caught on the wrong foot once again. The emissaries of the company from the Rinchi Hospital in the State capital, deputed for carrying out CSR activities in the health sector on the proposed sites were driven out by the villagers from the Torpa area, on Friday.
The five-member team was let off only after they produced a written undertaking undersigned by them that they would not be seen here again.
The team that had arrived in an ambulance for the distribution of medicines in the villages was intercepted near Kulda village, in Torpa block. Incidentally, it was caught in the rally of the villagers from the four blocks of Torpa, Rania, Karra and Kamdarra in the twin districts of Khunti and Gumla. It was under the banner of the Adivasi Moolvaasi Asthitva Raksha Manch (AMARM), in protest against the proposed steel plant. Leading the rally was the vociferous social activist Dayamani Barla.
When questioned by the villagers, the visitors admitted that they had been authorised by the Mittals, for the distribution of medicines amongst the villagers, as a part of health activities. "When we are opposing the entry of Mittal, in the area, how can we allow its authorised agency and ambulance to make way into the villages", shot back Barla.
Further, the vehicle did not even bear a number plate, pointed out Arun Topno, a local villager, adding that they were held by the villagers for half an hour and were allowed to go after they gave us a written bond of never to come back again. It was undersigned by Dr. SK Mishra, Lav Kush Verma, Surendra, besides two staff nurses.
Meanwhile, amidst heavy downpour the villagers shouted anti-slogans as "To- To No- No Aagua, Karkhana Kabua..." (We will plough our fields... we do not want factory) "Sarna Sake Abua" (Forests and religious places are our's…) against the world steel giant. Leaving aside their fields and sowing, they paraded for at least 2.5 kms from Kulda village to the Torpa Hill Chowk. Later, the rally converged into a meeting in the Torpa block campus.
The speakers including Barla herself, advocate Dhanik Guria, Rejan Topno, Sicilia Topno, addressed the meeting, reiterating the resolve that they would not part even with an inch of land, for the proposed plant. Later, a memorandum was submitted to the DC Khunti along with the CO and BDO, Torpa.
Their prominent demands include that the provisions of CNT Act should not be violated at any cost. The displacement of Adivasis and native population must be stopped and the waters of the traditional rivers of the region, Koel, Karo and Chata be supplied to the farmers for the development of both agriculture and environment. The corporate companies should not be allowed to be made owners of their land.
Moushumi Basu | Ranchi
The world steel giant, Arcelor Mittal, which has proposed to set up a 12 MTPA steel plant in the State, was caught on the wrong foot once again. The emissaries of the company from the Rinchi Hospital in the State capital, deputed for carrying out CSR activities in the health sector on the proposed sites were driven out by the villagers from the Torpa area, on Friday.
The five-member team was let off only after they produced a written undertaking undersigned by them that they would not be seen here again.
The team that had arrived in an ambulance for the distribution of medicines in the villages was intercepted near Kulda village, in Torpa block. Incidentally, it was caught in the rally of the villagers from the four blocks of Torpa, Rania, Karra and Kamdarra in the twin districts of Khunti and Gumla. It was under the banner of the Adivasi Moolvaasi Asthitva Raksha Manch (AMARM), in protest against the proposed steel plant. Leading the rally was the vociferous social activist Dayamani Barla.
When questioned by the villagers, the visitors admitted that they had been authorised by the Mittals, for the distribution of medicines amongst the villagers, as a part of health activities. "When we are opposing the entry of Mittal, in the area, how can we allow its authorised agency and ambulance to make way into the villages", shot back Barla.
Further, the vehicle did not even bear a number plate, pointed out Arun Topno, a local villager, adding that they were held by the villagers for half an hour and were allowed to go after they gave us a written bond of never to come back again. It was undersigned by Dr. SK Mishra, Lav Kush Verma, Surendra, besides two staff nurses.
Meanwhile, amidst heavy downpour the villagers shouted anti-slogans as "To- To No- No Aagua, Karkhana Kabua..." (We will plough our fields... we do not want factory) "Sarna Sake Abua" (Forests and religious places are our's…) against the world steel giant. Leaving aside their fields and sowing, they paraded for at least 2.5 kms from Kulda village to the Torpa Hill Chowk. Later, the rally converged into a meeting in the Torpa block campus.
The speakers including Barla herself, advocate Dhanik Guria, Rejan Topno, Sicilia Topno, addressed the meeting, reiterating the resolve that they would not part even with an inch of land, for the proposed plant. Later, a memorandum was submitted to the DC Khunti along with the CO and BDO, Torpa.
Their prominent demands include that the provisions of CNT Act should not be violated at any cost. The displacement of Adivasis and native population must be stopped and the waters of the traditional rivers of the region, Koel, Karo and Chata be supplied to the farmers for the development of both agriculture and environment. The corporate companies should not be allowed to be made owners of their land.
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