Anti-Mittal protest spills onto road
Moushumi Basu | Ranchi
In a show of strength, Adivasi Moolvaasi Asthitva Raksha Manch (AMARM) protested against the proposed 12-MTPA steel plant in the State by the world steel giant ArcelorMittal. The protestors carrying banners, placards machetes, bow and arrow, and axe marched their way to the Circle office in Kamdara under Gumla district on Thursday. The march was led by vociferous tribal activist Dayamani Barla.
The event assumes significance as it comes in the wake of the new Soren-led Government taking charge of the State. This was also followed by the recent meeting of the top brasses with the Chief-Minister, representing the world steel giant, in the State capital. It is also worthy to note that the successful show of strength could take place regardless of the fact that Paulus Surin has recently won from the neighbouring Torpa Assembly with a convincing margin of over 15,000 votes.
Also, Chief Minister Shibu Soren too had recently assured Vijay Bhatnagar, CEO ArcelorMittal, of expediting their process of land acquisition, for their proposed steel plant of 12 MTPA in the twin districts of Khunti and Gumla, involving an investment of above Rs 40,000 crores. The MoU was signed with the State Government in 2005. However, the steel baron is yet to make headway in the State following hurdles in land acquisition.
The Circle office in Kamdara was heavily crowded with the protestors from the villages around Kamdara in Gumla shouting slogans outside the office for more than three-four hours. "We will not part with an inch of our land…. Mittal Go back… We want grains and not iron…" shouted the protestors.
According to Barla, the rally was a part of the pre-scheduled programme, whereby the Assistant Collector had promised to meet them.
"He has, however, cheated us and failed to appear as per his commitment," she asserted. However, later an eight point memorandum was handed to SDO Alok Shikari Kachchap. The members protested tooth and nail against the sale of 1025 acres of land by the Gumla district administration.
The organisation demanded the immediate abrogation of such deeds where Mittals have been made raiyats (owners). "We would question the administration on the action taken by it on our demands, whose memoranda were submitted to the administration earlier," said Barla.
The land identified include community-owned natural resources as rivers, streams, forests, hills covering 10 villages in the Kamdarra block of Gumla. "This is a sheer repression of the rights of the tribals and the native inhabitants of the village. These villages are covered under the fifth schedule of the constitution, whereby the villagers enjoy traditional rights over such land," shot back Barla.
Further, Section 46 of CNT Act clearly states that such land bearing natural resources are community land and cannot be touched without the consent of Gaon Sabha, pointed out the vociferous Barla. This has also been provided for in Khatiyan Part-2. "We will not part with even an inch of our land", reiterated the members.
It is in small, stray, isolated patches to the tune of 5 dismil, 10 dismil here and there crossing the village fields, Sarna Sthal, Sasandaris etc. Government does not consider it necessary to even refer the issue to the respective village committees. The officers come on their own and delineate the land, as though it is no man's land, she added
Meanwhile, their other demands include respecting the rights of Gaon Sabha and the transaction of the so-called Government land be stopped immediately. The provisions of the CNT Act should not be violated at any cost. The displacement of Adivasis and native population 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 would not be allowed to be made owners of their land.
--
Priya Ranjan, Practicing Ph.D. in Internet Technologies
Official Internet Wanderer
दिलदार वेताल ऑफ़ इंद्रजाल :)
The land identified include community-owned natural resources as rivers, streams, forests, hills covering 10 villages in the Kamdarra block of Gumla. "This is a sheer repression of the rights of the tribals and the native inhabitants of the village. These villages are covered under the fifth schedule of the constitution, whereby the villagers enjoy traditional rights over such land," shot back Barla.
Moushumi Basu | Ranchi
In a show of strength, Adivasi Moolvaasi Asthitva Raksha Manch (AMARM) protested against the proposed 12-MTPA steel plant in the State by the world steel giant ArcelorMittal. The protestors carrying banners, placards machetes, bow and arrow, and axe marched their way to the Circle office in Kamdara under Gumla district on Thursday. The march was led by vociferous tribal activist Dayamani Barla.
The event assumes significance as it comes in the wake of the new Soren-led Government taking charge of the State. This was also followed by the recent meeting of the top brasses with the Chief-Minister, representing the world steel giant, in the State capital. It is also worthy to note that the successful show of strength could take place regardless of the fact that Paulus Surin has recently won from the neighbouring Torpa Assembly with a convincing margin of over 15,000 votes.
Also, Chief Minister Shibu Soren too had recently assured Vijay Bhatnagar, CEO ArcelorMittal, of expediting their process of land acquisition, for their proposed steel plant of 12 MTPA in the twin districts of Khunti and Gumla, involving an investment of above Rs 40,000 crores. The MoU was signed with the State Government in 2005. However, the steel baron is yet to make headway in the State following hurdles in land acquisition.
The Circle office in Kamdara was heavily crowded with the protestors from the villages around Kamdara in Gumla shouting slogans outside the office for more than three-four hours. "We will not part with an inch of our land…. Mittal Go back… We want grains and not iron…" shouted the protestors.
According to Barla, the rally was a part of the pre-scheduled programme, whereby the Assistant Collector had promised to meet them.
"He has, however, cheated us and failed to appear as per his commitment," she asserted. However, later an eight point memorandum was handed to SDO Alok Shikari Kachchap. The members protested tooth and nail against the sale of 1025 acres of land by the Gumla district administration.
The organisation demanded the immediate abrogation of such deeds where Mittals have been made raiyats (owners). "We would question the administration on the action taken by it on our demands, whose memoranda were submitted to the administration earlier," said Barla.
The land identified include community-owned natural resources as rivers, streams, forests, hills covering 10 villages in the Kamdarra block of Gumla. "This is a sheer repression of the rights of the tribals and the native inhabitants of the village. These villages are covered under the fifth schedule of the constitution, whereby the villagers enjoy traditional rights over such land," shot back Barla.
Further, Section 46 of CNT Act clearly states that such land bearing natural resources are community land and cannot be touched without the consent of Gaon Sabha, pointed out the vociferous Barla. This has also been provided for in Khatiyan Part-2. "We will not part with even an inch of our land", reiterated the members.
It is in small, stray, isolated patches to the tune of 5 dismil, 10 dismil here and there crossing the village fields, Sarna Sthal, Sasandaris etc. Government does not consider it necessary to even refer the issue to the respective village committees. The officers come on their own and delineate the land, as though it is no man's land, she added
Meanwhile, their other demands include respecting the rights of Gaon Sabha and the transaction of the so-called Government land be stopped immediately. The provisions of the CNT Act should not be violated at any cost. The displacement of Adivasis and native population 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 would not be allowed to be made owners of their land.
--
Priya Ranjan, Practicing Ph.D. in Internet Technologies
Official Internet Wanderer
दिलदार वेताल ऑफ़ इंद्रजाल :)
