The movement against the proposed Deocha-Pachami coal mine on Sunday witnessed a revival after around 800 Adivasis, including many women, held a march on the project area and vowed to fight till their “last breath” to stop the alleged illegal land acquisition for the proposed mine.

Sources familiar with developments in the proposed Deocha-Pachami coal mine area said an event of this scale had come up after six months.

Sunday’s development is considered significant in the backdrop of a recent visit to Birbhum district by chief minister Mamata Banerjee. “I thank the people of Deocha-Pachami who willingly gave their land to us for setting up the coal mine in Deocha Pachami. The work for the first phase of mining is over. The project will generate employment of at least a lakh people once we start mining,” she said in Bolpur on February 1.

The march started around noon from Harinsinga and culminated there after four hours. It was followed by a meeting where leaders of new platform Adivasi Adhikar Mahasabha addressed the gathering.

“The movement that started last year witnessed a setback following internal divisions. Today’s participation of a large number of people... signals a revival...,” said economist and activist Prasenjit Bose.

Sources said that a group of tribal people has already moved Calcutta High Court demanding the alleged illegal land acquisition process for the proposed coal mine be stalled. The case will be heard on February 21.