Jharkhand Vikas Morcha supremo Babulal Marandi has sharpened his arsenals against the Government while judging it for being on the wrong side of the masses in the State. The leader, at the same time, stressed the need to expedite opposition of the decisions particularly relating to CNT-SPT amendments, land acquisition and displacement.
Marandi, who sat on one day dharna at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday opposing the recent changes made the tribal law and also against the alleged atrocities done to landholders at Badkagaon of Hazaribagh, is also taking along entire Opposition with him.
“When the BJP came to power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged before Parliament that the Constitution would be the only religious text for the Government. But, what we have seen everywhere including Jharkhand that law has not been followed. land is being acquired against the wishes of the people and without following the laws in place. What has happened at Badkagaon and other places suggest only that the Government of the day is not in communication but in conflict with the people which is an unhealthy sign in democracy,” said Marandi addressing the dharna.
Referring to land acquired for various projects at Badkagaon the leader charged the Government for not abiding with any of the provisions of the land Acquisition Act in place. “The Act makes its mandatory that 70 per cent of the landholders are needed to give their consent before any acquisition. Provisions for four-time compensation and social impact assessment are there. None of the conditions have been fulfilled there and the police are barging into the houses of villagers and slapping cases against the protesters as intimidating tactics,” said the former Chief Minister.
He also opposed the latest Ordinance brought by the Government to rectify provisions relating to tribal land in the CNT and, SPT Acts. The Ordinance which has been already signed by Governor Droupadi Murmu is laying before the President for his consent.
“Why the amendments are taking placeIJ It is to facilitate big corporate houses, multinationals and rich people to build malls, factories etc even though the Government does not want to discuss it before the House. Agenda about the amendments are being brought before the TAC members moments before the meeting.
Their intensions are not right thus people of the State are forced to come on the streets which they would find difficult to control,” said Marandi.
The leader along with handful of others including Congress Subodh Kant Sahay, RJD State president Gautam Sagar Rana etc would offer their arrest before the police at Badkagaon on Thursday to protest against the slapping of cases for their protests.
The leaders would also oppose the recent drive to free Government land from the settlers and sluggish progress made under FRA.