Tribals not backing down
| Date :09-Jun-2019 |
The Hitavada State Bureau:
Dantewada/Raipur
Ajit Jogi reaches agitation to support tribal organisation
Memorandum submitted during agitation to NMDC officials
Braving heat and heavy downpour subsequently, thousands of tribals continued with their agitation on the second day on Saturday, 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). The Tribals, with their numbers gradually increasing with every passing hour, are protesting under the banner of Sanyukt Panchayat Jan Sangharsh Samiti and have gheraoed the NMDC check-post paralysing work at NMDC Bailadila consequently for two days now.
With Congress and Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (Jogi) in the fore-front supporting the tribal organisation along with the likes of Aam Aadmi Party, Communist Party of India, etc as well as social organisations like Chhattisgarh Pahad Bachao Andolan, etc., the agitation has entered the second day and is likely continue. Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (Jogi) Supremo Ajit Jogi reached Kirandul today to lend support to the Tribal organisations spear-heading the protest.
Also, two principal trade unions All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), came in support of the agitating tribals. Addressing the gathering at Kirandul, Ajit Jogi said, he and his party workers are ready to sacrifice their lives if required to stop Adani Group from taking up work as Mine Developer-Cum-Operator (MDO). Jogi alleged that Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in connivance with the Centre have allocated the Deposit-13 to Adani as MDO and in doing so rules have been flouted. Not only this, other mines including that of coal, gold, etc have also been given to the same group. He said he has nothing to do with Adani.
He has never met him nor have any personal enmity with him. But in his view while allocating mines rules should be followed. According to rules, there should be approval of local panchayat, which was forged. Rules also state that mines area which are inhabited by Tribals can’t be allocated to anyone. The Deposit-13 iron-ore mines in question is a hill which is being worshipped by the tribals here, said Jogi. He added he’s in the last stage of his life and he would prefer to die rather than allowing Adani to function as MDO. He said this mines and this hill will not be allowed for mining. Jogi took the opportunity to call upon Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel that if his government had true benevolence towards tribals, then it can easily cancel the decision of handing the mine to Adani Enterprises Ltd as MDO and it wouldn’t require centre’s intervention.
Jogi said Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma is like his brother and if he wishes he can get this mine cancelled within one hour by holding discussions with Chief Minister and the Centre. Jogi said Lakhma should fight till the end and if required he should resign from the post of Minister. Posts, comes and goes, but primary objective is to save Bastar. JCC (Jogi) Founder President Ajit Jogi said Pitod Rani was the family deity of Bastar King Raja Praveer Chandra Bhanjdeo and every year during Summers, the Bastar King used to come to Akashnagar to worship her.
He said the hill in contention which is called Nandaraj Hill is situated between Akashnagar 11B and Nikshep 14 hills and is also considered main deity of the local tribals here. Bailadila mountain range also consists of two daughters of Guru Nandaraj – Ilo and Palo, also considered as local deity. Jogi further added that Environment Clearance was given in 2015 by the Forest department and NMDC and CMDC was allotted mines for joint excavation and a JV vehicle was established but the lease was transferred to a private company Adani Group for 25 years. Sanyukt Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan (SKMS) Secretary Rajesh Sandhu and INTUC President D K Deshmukh have also extended their support to the agitation by declaring indefinite strike. A memorandum in this regards was submitted to Manager Abhijit Ghosh. The step was welcomed by Panchayat Jan Samiti. The agitation is expected to be intensified in the coming days which could lead to revenue loss of crores to the stakeholders.