‘Agitation will continue’

The Statesman, 11th August, 2008

In the backdrop of the recent Supreme Court clearance to mining and forest diversion proposal of Sterlite and Posco projects, leaders of peoples resistance movements held a ‘Public Hearing’ here today and resolved to continue with their struggle against displacement. The verdict pronounced by the ‘jury’ comprising of Dr BD Sharma of Bharat Jan Andolan, Professor KR Choudhury an agriculture scientist of Hyderabad, Miss Ratnamala, a civil liberty activist and trade union leader Mr KN Pandit called upon the government to give up repressive measures and adopt a path of development with equity giving due respect to constitutional provisions. Activists leading movements in Koraput, Kalinga Nagar, Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi, Jajpur, Sundergarh and Keonjhar presented their case. They narrated instances of police repression and of how hired goons of multinational companies were intimidating villagers. Most of the allegations hurled were one sided in the sense that the public hearing conducted today was held without any counter presentation from any of the industrial groups or government representatives. It is said that at many places in Orissa, the government seems to have virtually washed off its hands allowing companies to rule the roost, decried Dr BD Sharma. He pointed out that the government was duty bound and it was a constitutional obligation to stand by the people. "We have heard the travails of the people and how in the name of development their constitutional right to life with dignity is being robbed," he noted. "The protector cannot turn a predator," observed the ‘jury’ and warned that such mindless land and resources grab will “inevitably lead to social disorganisation, economic destitution and the very demise of the people”. "Displacement as a concept is unacceptable," said the ‘jury’. "People are not against development as long as it assures command of the community in its habitate is not compromised." The concerned people must be assured a place of honour in terms of equality and it is only with prior information and consent that any such developmental activity can be initiated, they said. "Affected people narrated instances of use of money and muscle power, deception and state repression," noted the social activists. All types of repressive measures, violation of human rights must be stopped and a more democratic way, taking people into confidence, should be adopted, they observed. Activists of the Visthapan Virodhi Janamanch spearheading the agitation in Kalinga Nagar, Nimayamgiri Suraksha Manch of Kalahandi, Krushak Sangh of Keonjhar, Naba Nirman Samiti of Jagatsinghpur , Vedanta Varsity Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, Puri and several others participated in the ‘public hearing’.