Gherao of NMDC check-post paralyses work for third day
| Date :10-Jun-2019 |
The Hitavada State Bureau:
Dantewada/Raipur
Ajit Jogi visits Nandraj Parvat and paid his obeisance to the hill which is considered deity by the tribals
Thousands of tribals continued with their agitation on the third day on Sunday, opposing handing over of the 10MTPA capacity Bailadila Iron-ore Deposit-13 at Kirandul in Dantewada district to Adani Enterprises Ltd as Mine Developer-Cum-Operator (MDO). Braving scorching heat, the tribals who are protesting under the banner of Sanyukt Panchayat Jan Sangharsh Samiti, continued with their gherao of the NMDC check-post paralysing work at NMDC Bailadila consequently for three days now.
Today the Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (Jogi) seemed to be in the fore-front supporting the tribal organisations along with political outfits like Aam Aadmi Party, Communist Party of India, etc alongside civil-societies. Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (Jogi) Supremo Ajit Jogi, who had reached Kirandul on Saturday to lend support to the Tribal organisations spear-heading the protest, continued his presence in the area for the second day consecutively despite his health conditions. In fact, today Jogi visited the Nandraj Parvat, the hill, which is contention here, despite opposition by the police. In the meanwhile, the tribals who’re camping infront of NMDC-CISF check-post, along with their families, are killing time by singing folk songs and folk dancing.
Today JCC (J) visited Nandraj Parvat and paid his obeisance to the hill which is considered deity by the tribals. By traveling on his wheel-chair for a distance of two kms on muddy track, the Janta Congress Supremo paid his obeisance to Pittormeta Devgudi. He also inspected area which has been allocated for mining to NMDC-CMDC Ltd and further has been given to Adani Enterprises Ltd as MDO. Ajit Jogi was accompanied by Soni Sori, AAP leader from the area. Many a times police and administrative officials present in the area tried to stop Jogi from going further citing security reasons.
Later after examining the area, Jogi blamed that incumbent Congress government allowed mining activities to Adani and the Forest Minister allowed felling of over 25,000 trees in Nandaraj Parvat. JCC (J) Founder President Ajit Jogi while talking to media persons from ground zero (Deposit-13) said Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and AICC President Rahul Gandhi, when in opposition, were highly against allocation of mining on MDO basis and used to level allegations of corruption. Now that Congress has come to power here, it has changed its colour and clandestinely handed over Parsa East, Kete Basan and Gidmuri-Paturiya mines to corporate sector. He further added that Adani Enterprises was allocated Parsa coal block under MDO contract.
During allocating these mines, rights given to tribals under Forest Rights Act were openly violated, alleged Jogi. Jogi further added that one after another five mines have been allocated to Adani Enterprises and as mining in these mines commences in the these mines, the thick jungle cover in Hasdeo Arand area will be completely destructed.
This area was declared “No go area” by the erstwhile UPA government. Jogi while quoting Sanjay Parate, Secretary Communist Party of India, said 14 coal blocks having deposit of 5305 MT has been allocated to corporate houses on the approval of state government. From these mines, the state government is losing Rs 12.5 lakh crore while the centre is losing Rs 60 lakh crore. He said the Congress government which has completed merely 100 days in power has been indulged in such huge financial irregularity. Jogi while commenting on Nandaraj Parvat, further added that the erstwhile government under Dr Raman Singh had issued Letter of Intent for carrying out mining on Deposit-13 but the incumbent Congress government by issuing ‘Consent to Operate’, has allowed mining process on the said mountain. Jogi further demanded that the cutting down of 25,000 trees should be investigated by National Green Tribunal. Jogi further stated that if Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel wants to pay a true tribute to Late Birsa Munda, without waiting for Cabinet meeting, should immediately cancel the ‘Consent to Operate’ approval given for operation of mines with immediate affect.