LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, Sept.26: The Jharkhand Rajya Dihadi Mazdoor Union’s hunger strike for the cause of Mahadalit and tribals has entered its sixth day in Palamu, but no government officials have shown up for any dialogue with the protestors.
Rajeev Kumar, the organization’s General Secretary, told Lagatar24.com that the strike will continue until the government takes notice of the situation and promises to meet our 11-point charter of demands.
Kumar stated that the 11-point charter of demands includes land and housing for the Mushahar community, tribal forest rights, and immediate action to ensure Dalit possession of the land on which they live.
Among his other demands were the immediate declaration of Palamu as a drought-affected district and the commencement of payments of Rs 7500 per month as unemployment allowance to each unemployed person until the effect of the drought was removed, free refilling of LPG, waiver of farmers’ loans, and the construction of shelter houses, Rain Basera, at all roundabouts and squares for daily wage workers.
After a rally from the Town Hall to the DC office on September 21, the union began its hunger strike.
The issue of Dalit and tribal came to the fore in Palamu after Mushahar families living in Murumatu village, Pandu block, were forced to leave their home of five generations.
An FIR was filed against as many as 12 people named in the case, which involved more than 150 people. Police also arrested three people who were involved in driving Dalits out of their land, but the Dalits are yet to return.
