Mass Demonstration on the Issues of Poor

Demonstrators lathicharged before Bihar CM’s residence, 9 Activists arrested

            A mass demonstration was held in Patna by 9 organisations jointly on March 6 to raise the issues of poor and oppose indifferent, negligent and corrupt attitude of bureaucracy and their political bosses. The police lathicharged demonstrators approaching CM’s residence before detaining  more than 300 activists. They were released in late evening except 9, namely Priyadarshi, Arvind Anjum, Dev Kumar, Santosh Kumar, Abhiranjan Kumar, Narendra Kumar, Arun Kumar Baghi, Ramji Das and Duni Dutt. Police arrested them imposing sections 143/147/188 (bailable) & 353 (unbailable). More than 3000 demonstrators took part in this mass demonstration jointly held by Janmukti Sangharsh Vahini (JaSaVa), Parchadhari Sangharsh Vahini, Kosi Navnirman Manch, Lok Sangharsh Samiti, Samajwadi Jan Parishad, Parivartan Jan Aandolan, Dalit Shakti Sangathan, Lok Sangharsh Morcha and Mazdoor Kisan Samiti.

            The demonstration was held to raise those 4 issues neglected continuously by the administration and govt. as well; as even CM Neeteesh Kumar couldn’t spare few minutes for a patient hearing of those serious issues related with rural poor’s life and livelihood. Ironically, on the other hand he himself keeps bemoaning for the similar treatment given to him by the centre.

            These important 4 serious issues are following :

1.      Bihar Govt. should accept the claims of the rights of traditional dwellers & tribals implementing Forest Right Act 2006

It would ensure the Right to Life to thousands of forest-dwelling families living in the forest areas of Bihar. Unfortunately the Bihar Govt., and the collectors and other officials of the related 13 districts have no interest at all to give even few minutes to such a serious issue. Overall 531 claim-papers from Gaya district itself have been rejected on illegal ground arbitrarily. Neeteesh ji himself has shown complete indifference and aloofness in this matter.  

2.      Bihar Govt. should ensure possession of lakhs of farmers on sealing, bhoodan, govt,. or other land, who have been allotted possession papers already

There are 35000 farmers in West Champaran itself having possession-papers of land allotted by the Govt. but they are still struggling to get actual possession over land. Several times the memoranda have been presented to the CM in this regard but of no avail. The Govt. has continued to ignore the mutation of the distributed Bhoodan land till now. The public is as concerned in this matter, the govt. is as much indifferent and least concerned !                      

3.      Bihar Govt. should decide the time-limit for the complete rehabilitation of the displaced persons due to Kosi-Calamity, including construction of one lakh houses

‘Kosi-Calamity Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Society’ is almost non-functional despite getting loan in millions by the World Bank. 88 thousand out of proposed 1 lakh houses are yet to be constructed. An amount of only Rs. 55 thousand only has been given against the proposed amount of Rs.1.5 lakhs. This act of rehabilitation should be completed on war footing within one year.

4.      Bihar Govt. should guarantee the rehabilitation of the displaced persons, due to erosion by river or by any other reason, within one year

There is a provision of settlement of a cluster of 20 displaced families due to river-erosion on 1 acre land each as per rule of Bihar Govt. of 1991. But this scheme is kept closed in the files of Bihar Govt’s officials.       

            This demonstration was organized to raise these genuine unfulfilled demands. 

Protest March against arrests held in Patna

                                   

            Protest March against arrests was held in Patna on March 6. Five persons – Panchdeo, Ashok Manav, Nand Kishore Singh, Kishori Das and Ram Naresh were detained; and released in the late evening.

            The 9 activists arrested on March 5 were not produced before magistrate on 6th. There could be no business on 7th due to some condolence. 8th being second Saturday and 9th being Sunday, now the hearing is likely to take place on March 10, Monday.

APPEAL

            Dear friend,

            Please oppose Bihar Govt’s egotistical and anti-people attitude and its indifference towards poor : its failure (rather unwillingness) to provide the genuine rights of the poor to them.  Condemn it strongly for its repressive measures and highhandedness while tackling its own people demanding their genuine rights peacefully.

            Please send protest-letters individually / collectively straight to the Governor and Chief Minister of Bihar through e-mail or fax. Collectively you may approach your DC/DM to send such protest-letter through her/him.

            *The e-mail of Governor of Bihar : governorbihar@nic.in

              The Fax No. of Governor             : 0612 - 2786178

             *The e-mail of CM of Bihar          : cmbihar-bih@nic.in

              The Fax No.s. of CM                     : 0612 – 2205800 / 0612 – 2205806

                                                                      0612 – 2224129 / 0612 - 2231440

> Please inform us also regarding your individual / collective action of protest.

*vinod vikram (09415235570 / vinodvikram0854@gmail.com)

*ashok (09455764133 /  ashok.jsv89@gmail.com)                   

* janmuktisagharshvahiniup@gmail.com