Responding to the global call for ending coal dependence forest-dwellers living in Mahan forests of Singrauli district led by an organisation Mahan Sangharsh Samiti (MSS) held protest demonstration on Sunday.
The protest was a part of worldwide campaign called ‘Global Anti- Coal Day of Action’. This is a global initiative against coal simultaneously taking place in 10 countries including Australia, Burma, Germany, India, Italy, Slovenia, South Africa, Philippines, Turkey and US.
The local people have been protesting for long against decision of the Centre to hand over the forest to a private company Mahan Coal limited (which is a joint venture of ESSAR and Hindalco) for coal mining.The MSS has been asserting community forest rights of the local people in the Mahan forest and pushing for the implementation of the Forests Rights Act.
On Sunday morning, numerous MSS members from five different villages gathered at Deeh Baba place (a holly place in the village) and decided to hold protest on the top of a small hill in Mahan forest. Subsequently, large numbers of people were mobilised and each one holding banners and shouting slogans marched towards the hilltop.The protesters included a large number of children who held placards reading “Our forests, our rights - end the age of coal”.
later, a meeting was organised and it was decided that a large public convention should be held in the region. It was also decided to hold a padyatra to broad base the struggle.