M F AHMAD
Daltonganj, April 6: A meeting of Jharkhand Jan Adhikar Mahasabha was held at Udaipura village in Latehar where civil society activists counted on factors that are inimical to the forest dwellers and the poor.
The Mahasabha has expressed deep concern and anxiety about the rising number of cases of police atrocities and excesses in the state and Latehar district.
The Mahasabha noticed the killing of a tribal Brahmdeo by the security forces, the inhuman torture of Anil Singh in a police station and curbs on civil rights and liberties of some people of Armu village by the local police.
The Mahasabha was presided over by Celestine Kujur. It was attended by Tom Kawla, Elena Horo, P Peter, James Heranj and others.
“The Mahasabha strongly believes that all concerned in the administration must respect human rights and ensure that the common man’s life is not put to peril,” said James Heranj, the state convener of NREGA Watch.
“The Mahasabha noticed that rampant and haphazard mining is no indicator of any growth rather it brings with it numerous other problems,” he added.
In the mining area, there is a serious problem of dust and pollution causing an imbalance in the ecology.
The north of Latehar has around half a dozen mining sites like Tubed, Banhardee, Chakla, Ganeshpur etc where the lives of the poor have become miserable.
Sources said there is large-scale mining of bauxite in the Paat areas of Mahuadanr which is posing threat to the lifeline of the tiger reserve the Burha Nadi.
The issue of displacement (Visthapan) is very high on the minds of the tribal people as it is they only who are shunted out. Sources said when tribals meet and discuss their problems, eyebrows are raised but when right-wing groups assemble it is seen as their symbol of strength.
The issue of the Netarhat field firing range remains with the people of Latehar and Gumla as painful as ever since 1994.
Issuance of patta under the forest dwellers rights act leaves much to be desired as where a forest dweller makes a legitimate claim for 3 acres, he is made to settle with only 1 decimal.
Sources said the Maha Sabha has found that the poor are harassed by the forest personnel in the name of the plantation.
Photo: Jharkhand Jan Adhikar Maha Sabha holding meeting in Latehar
