*“We will give our lives but will not give our ancestral lands to any Company”

Translation of “jaan denge, par poorvajon ki jameen kisi company ko nahin denge”

By Dayamani Barla

 
Meeting of the Land Protection Association in Karra

A meeting was organized on 11 June by the Land Protection Association (Jameen Bahao Sangathan) in the Panchayat of Karra Block of Ranchi District to discuss the various problems in the regions of Nauringa-Hudamaa Toli.

Addressing the gathering, Nande Paahan, an active member of the Association, said “the Mittal Company was looking to set up industries in the region and uproot the people. But the people do not want to be displaced at any cost. Just as a fish taken out of water dies in great agony, the tribals and original inhabitants of this region will self-destruct if evicted away from their water, forest and land resources.”

*“We will give our lives but will not give our ancestral lands to any Company”

Translation of “jaan denge, par poorvajon ki jameen kisi company ko nahin denge”

By Dayamani Barla

Prabhat City-Aas Paas, Ranchi, 17 June 2007

 (Translation by Vidya Jonnalagadda)

 
Meeting of the Land Protection Association in Karra

A meeting was organized on 11 June by the Land Protection Association (Jameen Bahao Sangathan) in the Panchayat of Karra Block of Ranchi District to discuss the various problems in the regions of Nauringa-Hudamaa Toli.

Addressing the gathering, Nande Paahan, an active member of the Association, said “the Mittal Company was looking to set up industries in the region and uproot the people. But the people do not want to be displaced at any cost. Just as a fish taken out of water dies in great agony, the tribals and original inhabitants of this region will self-destruct if evicted away from their water, forest and land resources.”

The secretary, Shivcharan Mishra said that the people will have to unite in their opposition to displacement. “We have to pledge that we will not give up at any cost our ancestral lands to any company.” Some people informed the gathering that certain people from the region were acting as agents for the Company. The assembled people decided that “We are ready to give our lives to guard the ancestral heritage. At the same time, people who are working to incite the public will be identified.”

Charo Paahan, an elder from Bhusur, said “The village and the society can survive only when all communities live in harmony like brothers.” He said that since the time that the Mittal Company came to survey the land, all the villagers are becoming united against displacement.

It is also necessary to be knowledgeable about the laws in order to protect one’s rights. Speaking about the developmental activities ongoing in the region, Saheba Paahan of Jamhaar said that there were irregularities in the works in progress under NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarntee Act). The laborers were not being paid proper wages.

Herbeden Horo of Khijurtoli said, “We should not be afraid of anybody, we have to come forward for our rights. The public servants and villager workers do not come to the villages. Hence the developmental schemes are not being run properly.”

Cyril Aaind of Chotka Regare said, “Today the Village Chief of the village is working as per his own whims in each matter. He has given the money from the Village Funds to his paternal uncle’s son. The Village Chief does not follow any decision made by the Village Council.”

The villagers said that there was no notice board of any kind at the places where works under the NREGA were in progress. In many villages, the laborers were being paid only rupees 60-65.

The assembly also decided to raise their voice in all places where the rations meant for the poor people of the region were being sold in the black market. The people expressed their displeasure at the lack of fact-finding mission visits by any officials from the Block Office.

The President of the Association, Pushpa Anand said, “In addition to working to save the land, the Association is working to safeguard the basic rights of the people”. Presiding over the meeting, the Village Chief of Udikel, Prakash Hemrom said, “Service with honesty is the only way to make possible the development of the State.” The program was coordinated by the Village Chief of Bakaspur, Joan. The meeting was addressed by Sumitra Devi, Susheela Devi, Dibar Horo, Govind Kujoor, Sukara Tirkee, Birasa, Anita Khalkho, and others. The youth played a commendable role in making the meeting a success.