The fresh round of agitation against the coal companies coming to Barkagaon-Keredari area of Hazaribagh district started with one-day long ‘Satyagrah cum protest’ program at Chepakala village of Barkagaon block. Former MP cum Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, former MlA cum Minister Yogendra Sao and MlA Barkagaon Nirmala Devi led the agitation.
Addressing a massive gathering of displaced peasants of Barkagaon and Keredari blocks Subodh Kant Sahay said, “We want Rs1 crore per acre compensation to all those whose land had been acquired or going to be acquired for mining purpose and a job to one of the family members of every displaced so that they can spent their lives easily. We have started this agitation peacefully but if the coal companies and Government will not hear our voice then it can turn into a violent one.”
Yogendra Sao said that the Raghubar Government is arrogant and soon it will collapse due to its own deeds. The coal companies specially NTPC has looted the land of innocent peasants of this area with connivance of Government officials and pimps and has just paid a minimal amount for their lands which cannot be tolerated. He gave a call of Ranchi Chalo to all displaced and announced gherao of assembly on 15th of March by the peasants of Barkagaon and Keredari blocks.
MlA Nirmala Devi said that this time women are going to participate in the agitation for justice in large numbers as they are adamant to take the actual price of their piece of lands. If required the women of this area are ready to go to jail and to tolerate the actions of administration. She announced that women of displaced families will remain in the front line of every program of this agitation.
After the end of this program the gathering moved towards the site offices of NTPC, Triveni Sainik mining company and R&R colony site under the leadership of Subodh Kant Sahay, Yogendra Sao and Nirmala Devi and stopped work everywhere.