VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Hazaribag, Feb 21: As Chatti Bariatu turned into a cantonment with the deployment of 1000 policemen led by 20 magistrates making NTPC to start coal transportation, Barkagaon MLA Amba Prasad expressed her anger terming the act “unconstitutional”.
She said this has again set the wrong example as similar action was also taken at Pakri Barwadih mines in the past.
Yesterday, taking the security of the entire area in hand, deputy commissioner Nancy Sahay and superintendent of police Manoj Ratan Chauthe flagged off the coal-laden vehicles at NTPC’s Chatti Bariatu coal mines in Keredari.
With this, coal transportation started in this mine, which came to a halt in January due to ongoing agitation by the raiyats.
Sahay and Chauthe remained in the area since morning taking care of the law and order to talking with agitating raiyats. They reached an agreement with them to ensure the start of coal transportation.
The agreement included hiring local men as drivers in coal transporting vehicles and if villagers want they can engage their vehicles also for transportation.
If needed, the administration will help them in the purchase of a new vehicle through finance. Even all agreed to give work like spraying water to guards and helpers to local villagers.
Even all agreed for training to local women in the cottage industry so as to make them self-sufficient. Even a promise was made to construct a community centre in this area.
When policemen tried to clear the road to start transportation, a few activists of Birsa Sena tried to create a problem but were forcibly removed. Many were taken away from there. Coal was today sent to the North Karnpura plant in Tandwa of Chatra.
But this angered Amba who said industrialists are suppressing poor people with help of the administration in the same way. This is how people are losing lands, jobs and their rights, she fired. Even poor people tasting the poor of lathi and also facing cases going to jail, she added.
Amba said she is taking all steps from her side to ensure justice for people. But what happened yesterday is violating the faith of people in law and even from the government as well, she said. Amba said if such an order came from state headquarter, it is very unfortunate. She said she has informed to party’s state in charge Avinash Pandey.
