29 Project-affected farmers are agitating for the 3rd day at Makardhokda mines of WCL
Nagpur: Central general secretary of Koyala Shramik Sabha and Zilla Parishad member from Tekadi, Shivkumar Yadav has severely the land-acquisition of Adiwasi farmers by WCL, as, no one can purchase the land of tribals as per government rules. Unfortunately such rules are being ignored, he lamented, demanding that such injustice be stopped first and then only WCL should think of bhumipoojan of the land (on Nov 25) which it has acquired for its purpose. Various other organizations too have criticised WCL’s policy on this count.
Land acquisition is an official process: Trivedi
According to WCL sub-area manager, Kamptee, Tarun Trivedi, land acquisition, as per requirement, is after all an official process. He said, the arrangement of soil-dumping has been made on a land in Warada village for a period of three years. The issue of payment of compensation and providing a job is held up due to family disputes of tribal farmer Warkhade. There is no information about other farmers, Trivedi said, adding that the allegations made by various organizations against WCL are meaningless.
Bhumipoojan of expansion of WCL mine today
The bhumipoojan of expansion work of sub-area Kamptee is being held today. But it is unjust, for the farmers, whose land has been acquired by WCL, have been running pillar to post to seek justice over the years. Moreover, the District Collector has promulgated Section-9 in that area due to which the tribal farmers will not be able to sell their land to any one in the event of emergent need, and they will have to depend on the will of WCL. There are several such affected farmers who are still cursing their fate, for their land too has been acquired by WCL with no compensation or job to the affected.
According to a tribal farmer, Sampat Dhurve, his land is under control of WCL for past 70 years. WCL makes its transportation on his 3-acre land, but has not yet provided any compensation or job. Similarly, farmer Dashrath Maroti Warkhde’s land is in control of WCL since year 2006. The plight of one Dassai Gauthia is also the same.
Agitation enters 3rd day
As many as 29 project-affected farmers of Makardhokda mines, under Umred WCL area, are waiting for jobs over past 14 years in WCL, since 2001. They did not accept compensation under protest. They are still demanding jobs in WCL, and many of them have crossed 40 years of age. They are thus agitating against mismanagement and deception caused to them by WCL, and even their family members are too have joined their agitation.
In the beginning, the WCL had acquired 202 acre land belonging to 98 farmers for expansion of WCL mines. Of them 69 people have got compensation in lieu of jobs, but remaining 29 refused to accept compensation, and they are still awaiting justice. They have run pillar to post, but in vain. They are still eagerly waiting for someone to help them.
