Taking cue from Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Salt Satyagraha’, people hailing from villages affected by coal mining in Raigarh district, will be undertaking ‘Coal Satyagraha’ on October 2 as a move to claim their right on natural resources available in the region.
The symbolic ‘Coal Satyagraha’ under the banner of Mehnat Kash Mazdoor Kissan Ekta Sangathan (MKMKES) and Janchetna Raigarh, is likely to be attended by roughly 10,000 people from around 55 coal mining affected villages on Friday, informed coordinator of Janchetana Raigarh Rajesh Tripathi.
According to him, the symbolic satyagraha is ongoing in the region from past few years. In 2012, the movement was started from village Gare following which as many as 15 villages joined in 2013 and eventually 55 villages will be taking part in the satyagraha this time.
Starting from Chhattisgarh’s Gare region, ‘Coal Satyagraha’ has been expanded to Odisha and Jharkhand as well.
The basic objective of Coal Satyagraha is to claim right over the available natural resource in the region, to spread awareness among people in the area about local issues pertaining to coal mining, PESA Act/its violation, alleged illegal encroachment of land, fake FIR reportedly lodged by mining companies operating in the region and promises made by these mining companies during acquisition of land and various other issues linked to local population’’, Tripathi told The Pioneer.
Involvement of local people in the mining is going to open employment opportunities for local population and also result in development of society along with protection of national resources, Tripathi informed.
On this occasion, documentary films based on alleged fake FIR lodged against people in the region, encroachment and other, prepared by our volunteers will be showcased to villagers, said Tripathi, adding that Gram Sabha will also be conducted to discuss various series of issues related to coal mining.
A letter addressed to President of India, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India will also be submitted to concerned authority on this occasion to highlight problems being faced by people here due to coal mining, added Tripathi.
After undertaking Satyagraha at their respective villages, people from these 55 villages are going to gather in village Gare to discuss further course of action.