TRIBALS, farmers and social organisations of Chhattisgarh gathered in Raipur for a state-level convention of Bhoomi Adhikar Andolan and Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan. In a day-long convention on June 28, 2022, the delegates gave details of the ongoing movements to protect their Jal-Jungle-Zameen (Water, Forest and Land), minerals and other natural resources and to save democracy.

Muneshwar Porte from Hasdev Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Narsingh Mandavi from Rawghat Sangharsh Samiti, Rajim Ketwas from Dalit Adivasi Manch, Sarju Tekam of Bechaghat movement, Roopan Chandrakar from Naya Raipur Kisan Andolan, Manish Kunjam of Adivasi Mahasabha, Janaklal Thakur of Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha, Rishi Gupta of Chhattisgarh Kisan Sabha, Arvind Netam, former MP from Sarva Adivasi Samaj, Vijay Bhai of Bharat Jan Andolan and representatives of Jashpur, Korba, Dhamtari and other places spoke. They explained how the governments of Chhattisgarh including the present government at all these places are engaged in acts of evictions and arrests, even fake encounters of tribals.

In the convention held on the 10th anniversary of the Sarkeguda massacre, speakers told that 18 tribals, including more than half a dozen minor children, were killed in this massacre. In the 2018 elections, Congress contested the elections on the issues of the Sarkeguda and Edesmeta massacre. The entire Bastar belt was won by Congress and Bhupesh Baghel became the chief minister. Three years ago, the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Edesmeta and Sarkeguda massacre was placed. In both these reports, the guilty police officers have been identified, but not a single recommendation of any report has been implemented, and no action has been taken against them. Just on June 24, the platform of the tribals of Pusnar, who had been on dharna for several months, was demolished by JCB and the tribals are fighting bravely against this undemocratic act of the government.

CORPORATE MODEL AT WORK

Bhoomi Adhikar Andolan - Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan convention was inaugurated by Hannan Mollah, ex-MP and general secretary of All India Kisan Sabha. He said that the Modani model -- the Modi-Adani model of robbing natural resources by eradicating water, forest, land and democracy -- will not work. He said that on these natural resources, the rights are of the society, but today efforts are being made to usurp it under the protection of the State power and power of capital. Giving information about the evolution of Bhoomi Adhikar Andolan, he said that through this platform a new resistance movement is being developed against the anti-corporate policies of the government. He announced that after this state convention, a national convention would be organised in Bhopal on August 17-18, in which the future strategy would be decided after discussing the movements across the country.

Medha Patkar of Narmada Bachao Andolan said that attempts are being made to grab land illegally in Chhattisgarh, which is being opposed by farmers and tribal society. This is an era of economic exploitation which is taking away the right to life. A clear example of the development model that Narendra Modi is talking about, is being seen today in every state in the form of the destruction of forests, damming of agricultural land and destruction of people through displacement. Attacks on the natural resources of tribals have intensified in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha. If we all do not fight together, then neither we will survive nor society will survive. This message has to be conveyed to every village and an alternative policy of development will have to be placed before the country. He said that to save the Hasdeo forest, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel was expressing his commitment by staying in the opposition, but currently, he is giving permission to destroy it.

At the beginning of the convention, the president of Chhattisgarh Kisan Sabha, Sanjay Parate while welcoming the delegates said that today the ruling parties in the country are keeping quiet on the issues like communalism, religious discrimination on one hand, while on the other hand, they are constantly trying to facilitate corporate loot. At such a time, the importance of such a convention of mass movements becomes even more important. He invited representatives of mass movements and organizations on the stage. The convention is conducted by CBA convenor Alok Shukla.

The convention accepted an 8-point demand charter, on which a campaign would be launched in the entire state for the next two months. Such conventions would be organised in the districts also and a state-wide movement would be organised in October.

DEMAND CHARTER

·        In Chhattisgarh, land transfer for corporate profits should be banned in the areas of the Vth  Schedule and the protective provisions of the PESA Act must be followed in letter and spirit.

·        Completely stop displacement of tribals and diversion of land in the name of development in the entire state including Hasdeo, Silger, Bastar and Korba.

·        Follow the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 literally. The land which has been acquired without implementing this law should be returned to the original farmers.

·        Take immediate action on the investigation reports of the massacre in Bastar so that the culprits should be properly punished. Stop the militarisation of Bastar and immediately release innocent tribals who are in jail in fake cases.

·        Roll back the illegal restrictions imposed on organising peaceful and democratic movements and withdraw fake cases filed against activists who raised voices for public and human rights.

·        Plans of displacement and environmental destruction should be cancelled immediately in the name of development.

·        Regularise the contract workers and the practice of exploitation of labourers through contract system should be abolished.

·        The availability of fertilizers should be ensured to the farmers and a law should be made to guarantee support price.