SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, July 15: Eviction notice to residents of underground mines fire and subsidence-affected Liloripathra in Jharia coalfield has triggered panic among them.
Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) Kujma colliery area management has issued notices to 130 families living in the dangerous fire and subsidence-affected areas and asked them to evacuate the area in 15 days or face demolition of their houses.
Project Officer (PO) of the colliery KK Singh in his notice said that this area is the most dangerous to live in. These 130 families have already been allotted quarters in Belagadhia Township (specially constructed for Jharia fire displaced family) for their safety. Despite it, they have not shifted there yet.
“Number of the allotted quarter has been mentioned on the house of family in Liloripathra who has been ordered for eviction. Since life and property are at stake, the management would demolish the house if they failed to evacuate in 15 days,” said project officer Singh.
In the wake of increasing fire and subsidence danger, especially during monsoon, the Jharia Rehabilitation and Development Authority (JRDA) had last month decided to cancel the allotment of quarters of the families who have not shifted till date. In their place, another family in the danger zone will be allotted quarters.
In the survey, 130 families of Liloriphara were found living in the most dangerous zone of fire and subsidence. On a priority basis, they were allotted quarters in Belagardhia township. But they have not shifted there.
However, the families who have been served eviction notices said that they would prefer dying in the fire and subsidence rather than shifting to Belagardhia Township quarters where there are no basic facilities to survive.
“We are spontaneously ready to shift there for the sake of the safety of children provided that JRDA provides basic facilities there,” said Randhir Bhuiya, one of the residents of Liloripathra.
On Thursday, the BCCL officials’ team, which was escorted by CISF, had to face massive protest by the residents of Jairampur Basti when they had gone to serve the eviction notices. The residents refused to receive the notice saying that first, the coal company should provide living resources (job) and only after that they would leave the area.
