Nearly a thousand tribal villagers armed with traditional weapons staged a demonstration on Sunday protesting against the process of land acquisition by Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority (JIADA) in West Singhbhum for industries without taking into confidence gram sabhas.
The villagers from different parts of Khuntpani, Tonto and Noamundi blocks of the mineral-rich West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand had gathered at a mass protest programme held at Kotsona under Loharda panchayat of Khuntpani against identification of over 300 acres of land by JIADA (an unit of the state industry department responsible for development of industrial areas in Jharkhand).
“We have come to know through the media about statements by JIADA officials on selection of lands for allotment to industrial houses in Khuntpani, Noamundi and Tonto blocks. However, the land has been identified for industrial uses without taking into confidence the gram sabha (village-level committees). The blocks have a traditional self-governance system through village heads like Manki Munda and all major decisions are taken after approval of Manki Munda. However in the garb of industrialisation our lands are being taken away without even taking our views on it. We have written to officials on Monday after our protest on Sundays,” said Chandan Honhaga, munda of Loharda panchayat in Kotsona under Khuntpani block.
He warned of violent protests if the government does not accede to their demands and continue to go ahead and allot the identified lands to industries.
“We staged a protest and wrote to the Jharkhand Governor (Ramesh Bais), chief minister (Hemant Soren) and also West Singhbhum deputy commissioner (Ananya Mittal). If our grievances are not addressed then we would be forced to undertake a violent agitation,” warned Honhaga.
The letter submitted by the tribals mentions about 271.12 acres in Khuntpani block, 90.37 acres in Tonto block and 131.15 acres in Noamundi blocks being identified by JIADA for allotment to industries.
“Tribals are dependent on forest and land resources and we have seen in the past how companies set up units acquiring tribal lands without looking after their developments later on. We want all things to be discussed in detail at the gram sabhas before lands are given to industries,” added Honhaga.
West Singhbhum deputy commissioner Ananya Mittal assured of looking into the issue. “I have directed additional district collector to check whether all processes were followed in the land identification by JIADA. I would like to assure that nobody’s interest would be overlooked,” said Mittal.
