[chhattisgarh-net] Digest Number 2288

[chhattisgarh-net]

Title: chhattisgarh-net

chhattisgarh-net Messages In This Digest (5 Messages) 1. Sompeta firing-Fact Finding Committee: Interim Report From: dipankar 2. Reports on more Evictions, Arrests and Attacks from forest areas From: Subrat 3a. Re: Rotting food but will not be distributed to poor... From: Umi Daniel 4. Himanshu Kumar on why a revolution brewing in Punjab... From: Satyen K. Bordoloi 5a. Re: CGnet Swara wins mBillionth award in Mobile News category From: Awaz Lucknow View All Topics | Create New Topic Messages 1. Sompeta firing-Fact Finding Committee: Interim Report Posted by: "dipankar" dbasu200...@yahoo.com   dbasu2002in Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:49 am (PDT) http://sanhati.com/articles/2616/ Interim Report July 27, 2010 The fact-find team (FFT), under the leadership of Justice P.K. Misra, former judge of the Orissa High Court, was an initiative of certain public-spirited individuals and organizations who were deeply concerned at the firing on the people protesting against the proposed thermal power plant by the Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) near Sompeta in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. The firing occurred on 14 July 2010 in which two persons died and five were injured by bullets (including a cameraman of TV-9 Telugu channel). In the events prior to the firing, about 300 people belonging to the neighbouring villages opposing the power plant and about 50-60 police personnel were injured. During 24-25 July, the FFT visited Palasapuram, Lakkavaram, Isakalapalem and Ramaiahpatnam villages in Sompeta Mandal and talked to the local people who are resisting the proposed power plant to protect their life and livelihood. The Team met the District Collector, Mr. Srikanth (on the evening of 24 July), held discussions with the representatives and members of Sri Sri Sri Kanakadurga Taapi Mestri Sangam and Kalinga Vysya Sangam in Sompeta town, and visited the Government Community Hospital in Baruva Panchayat to meet some of the injured persons undergoing treatment. (Our effort to meet an injured police officer undergoing treatment in the Seven Hills Hospital in Vizag did not prove successful as he was discharged by the time we went there on the evening of 25 July). The Team confined its enquiry to the 2-3 days prior to 14 July and also the incidents on 14 July including the firing. Some of our observations and recommendations are as follows: 1. Despite an Injunction Order by the Principal Junior Civil Judge, Sompeta (I.A. 116/2010 in O.S. 33/2010, C.A. No. 454/10) on 7 May 2010 restraining the NCC from entering into the properties of the petitioners (i.e. some of the villagers), the NCC tried to enter into the lands and perform certain works on 14 July. As a Respondent, the NCC is very much aware of the Injunction Order. 2. The police seem to have mobilized a disproportionately large force at the behest of the NCC and moved in the villages threatening the local people during 11-13 July. They even conducted flag marches in some villages. On 13 July the police have told in some villages to remain peaceful and unarmed if they want to protest. In some villages they distributed leaflets and threatened the villagers not to come towards NCC lands. (The leaflets of thepolice reflect an impression of it being the NCC’s leaflet). It should be mentioned that in the several months before July 2010 the police have been foisting false cases on the protesting leaders and villagers and harassing them in various ways. In the villagers, an impression has gained ground that the police have been behaving at the behest of the NCC rather than as protectors of law and justice. We also would like to state that the allegations that this movement of the villagers is the handiwork of extremists is not found to be true. It is mostly led by the local individuals under the broad umbrella of Paryavarana Parirakshna Sangam. Its leaders enjoy high respect and credibility among the villagers and also the townfolk in Sompeta. The Team has also noticed that the lives and livelihoods of the villages are intricately linked to the wetlands (Bela lands, in local parlance) and there is a strong determination to protect those lands at any cost. Further, there is a significant level of awareness on the negative effects of the proposed thermal power plant if located in the same area. Together, this situation has been rallying the villagers in an unprecedented show of unity against the proposed plant. 3. On 14 July the police mobilized the force in a big way. There were also private persons (estimated to be about 250 or) who were wearing blue scarves around their necks, travelled in police vehicles and were also staying in the fields under tents with lathi sticks close by along with the police. The villagers, apprehending that the NCC is about to start civil works, also gathered in groups at several villages and tried to proceed towards the proposed works. They were unarmed and peaceful. At some places there were arguments and the police allowed the protestors to have a dialogue with the concerned persons. At other places, the ladies were pleading with folded hands (some even touching the feet of police officers) not to take away their lands and livelihoods. 4. The police suddenly started lathicharge and severely beat up the women and men causing severe injuries to many. The private persons mentioned above also joined in beating up the protestors. The protestors ran helter skeltor in an attempt to escape. After sometime, the retreating men picked up the locally available sticks and attacked the policemen also causing injuries to the latter. As mentioned in the beginning, about 300 protestors and 50-60 policemen suffered injuries. Some vehicles were also burnt. Teargas shells were also fired but was not effective as the lands were marshy. The whole tension went on for about three hours or so beginning from 9.30 AM or so. After around 12.30 PM or so, the tension seemed to have subsided and the protesters as well as the police started withdrawing from the scene. 5. Firing: At this time, suddenly the firing was done from inside a police van on the road (Sompeta-Baruva road, the fields are located on either side of this road) and the police van started moving towards Sompeta while the man inside continued firing. There was no warning. There was no provocation for firing. There was no apprehension of breach of peace. The firing was done from a close range (20-30 feet). The bullets hit the victims above waist level (except two who were hit on the thigh and the ankle). Two persons died on the spot (G. Joga Rao of Lakkavaram, and G. Krishna Murthy of Palasapuram). Five persons sustained bullet injuries (including a camera man of TV-9 channel). All of them were unarmed, scattered and very close to or on the road. The Team visited the spot of the firing and talked to several people including eye-witnesses. They were emphatic in saying that the Sub-Inspector of Sompeta, Mr. Ashok Kumar, was the person who fired from inside the moving police van. 6. The Collector admitted that he was not aware of the Injunction Order issued by the local court. The Team tried to solicit some response from the Collector regarding â€" - Who ordered the firing, - Who were the people in civil dress with blue scarves along with police, - Whether NCC made a request for police, - What is the present state of affairs etc. etc. The standard response from him was that all this will be known only after the magisterial enquiry (now seems to be going on by the Joint Collector). He was refusing to give a commitment on when the enquiry will be over. When we asked for a copy of the order of enquiry, he casually told us to file an application under the Right to Information Act. The Team is disappointed to note that throughout the conversation the attitude of the Collector, Mr. Srikanth, was casual and non-serious given the gravity of the situation. 7. The magisterial enquiry by a government officer has no credibility among the affected people. There is an urgent need for a higher level judicial enquiry for the purpose of expeditious interim relief and compensation to the affected people so that their lives and livelihoods are not affected. And also create a confidence in the government. 8. The Team feels that the following compensation package should be adopted: Rs. 20 lakh each for the dead, Rs. 5 lakh each to those hit by bullet injuries, Rs. 5 lakh each to those spinal injuries, Rs who suffered. 2 lakh each to those who suffered fractures, Rs. 1 lakh each to those who suffered serious injuries. 9. The government should take immediate steps to prevent the NCC from entering the area and disturb the peace and tranquility in the villages. 10. Keeping in view the Order of the National Environment Appellate Authority, New Delhi (dated 14 July 2010) the government should undertake a survey of all the wetlands in Srikakulam district “pending which no project should be cleared on such locations”. Justice P.K. Misra, Former Judge of the Orissa High Court. Prof. C. Ramachandraiah,Social Scientist, Hyderabad. Mr. Clifton D’Rozario, Advocate and Alternative Law Forum, Bangalore. Prof. Arun Patnaik, Political Scientist, University of Hyderabad. Dr. K. Laxminaryana Reddy, Economist, University of Hyderabad. Dr. M. Thimma Reddy, Peoples Monitoring Group, Power Sector, Hyderabad. Ms. Saraswati Kavula, Documentary Film Maker, Hyderabad. Mr. D. Suresh Kumar, Law Student, Hyderabad and Coordinator of the Team. Back to top Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (1) 2. Reports on more Evictions, Arrests and Attacks from forest areas Posted by: "Subrat" subra...@gmail.com   subrat69 Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:52 am (PDT) Friends, In much of the debate about the violence and repression in forest areas, it has been difficult to notice the quiet gearing up of attacks in many areas across the country. Most of them are not directly related to Operation Green Hunt, but are just one more indicator of the government's plan to tighten its control over forests and forest lands - regardless of law and justice. As has been widely circulated, in Bolangir District, Orissa, the Forest Department, an NGO close to them and a Joint Forest Management Committee (the supposedly "participatory" body that, like all such committees, in practice is a proxy of the Department) have joined hands to attack the Dalit residents of a forest village (Kuimunda, in Bohruamunda Panchayat, Khabrakhol Block). In October last year, the house of one villager, Rabi Bagh, was attacked and broken by the JFM Committee; they were supported by an NGO named RCDC. In June this year, false cases were filed against Trilochan Punji, an Orissa Jan Adhikar Morcha activist working with the village, who escaped arrest by securing anticipatory bail from the Orissa High Court. On July 21st, Rabi Bagh was arrested on a different false case, and remains in jail; Trilochan Punji has been named yet again and is dodging arrest. In Guna District, Madhya Pradesh, reports say that around 70 people were arrested by the Forest Department for "encroachment" - after their claims for their rights under the Forest Rights Act were illegally rejected. Forced relocation and evictions have taken place across protected areas of Madhya Pradesh, including in Kanha and Panna tiger reserves. In the proposed POSCO area, the government has formed four teams to attack the resisting people and take over the forest land - over which the government has no rights. Meanwhile, across the forest areas, smaller violations and attacks continue. Intense Forest Department violations, attacks on people by JFM Committees, and land grabbing incidents are occurring all the time. Behind the image of apathy, chaos and corruption lies the growing attempt to retake control over forests and forest lands, and the fight of the people for democracy and justice. Campaign for Survival and Dignity -- Heaven is a forest of miles and miles of Mohua trees, And hell is a forest of miles and miles of Mohua trees with a forest guard in it! ------------------Muria adivasi song in Bastar Back to top Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (1) 3a. Re: Rotting food but will not be distributed to poor... Posted by: "Umi Daniel" umi.dan...@gmail.com Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:55 am (PDT) Dear Sachin, Quite disturbing news about the wastage. Prior to enactment of the Food security Act and while the government is still reluctant in universalisation of PDS should realise that there is no shortage of food grain meant for poor in India but the poor management of grain which is depriving the poor. Regards Daniel On Sat, Jul 24, 2010 at 4:08 PM, sachin jain <sachinwrites@gmail.com> wrote: > > Dear All, > > This is to share with you that 3 Lakh Metric tonnes for food grain is > laying in the open fields and just covered by plastic sheets in Madhya > Pradesh. Huge quantity of grain is rotting and will be of no use. As per > the > todays news reports we only have a storage capacity to store 415 lakh > tonnes > of food gain and now 190 lakh tonnes is laying in open under the plastic > sheets. We understand a big part of this food grain may get rotten. Why not > to see this issue from the inflation point. It is for sure Hunger is a > situation fabricated by the state policies. =================== Umi Daniel MiRC, Migration information & Resources Centre 3, Subhadra Enclave Jagamara, Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar Tel: 0674 6570455 Mob: 9937019196 visit my blog: http://orissamigration.blogspot.com/ Back to top Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (3) 4. Himanshu Kumar on why a revolution brewing in Punjab... Posted by: "Satyen K. Bordoloi" saty...@gmail.com Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:44 am (PDT) Dear friends, Himanshu Kumar here speaks on his experiences in cycling through Punjab. He says that what was once the seat of the Green Revolution in the country is now shimmering with widespread discord with a silent revolution gathering storm against the oppressive policies of a government run by politicians not concerned about the plight of its people. 40% of farmers are landless there with 90% of them being dalits. Small farmers there are in debt and are selling off their land. Even industrial workers are unpaid and exploited. The oppression in Punjab is as bad as that of Salwa Judum in Chhattisgarh and despite a totally nonviolent resistance in Punjab, the government is clamping down on them as they would a violent revolution with activists who fought against violence during the days of terrorism, now being branded Maoists by the state and put in prison. Sadly, their grassroot revolution is not something most of us hear about, because the activists there are busy working instead of posting them on the internet, which today is the only source of information on grassroot movements. It is time the rest of the nation, and urban activists join with their suffering brothers in Punjab. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAlUQ1R-ftw Satyen Back to top Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (1) 5a. Re: CGnet Swara wins mBillionth award in Mobile News category Posted by: "Awaz Lucknow" awaz...@hotmail.com Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:17 pm (PDT) दोस्तों, फ़ोन आधारित समाचार सेवा के क्षेत्र में सीजी नेट स्वर को ठंतर्राष्ट्रीय पुरूस्कार के लिए चुने जाने की ख़बर पढ़ कर दिल बाग़-बाग़ हो गया. सीजी नेट स्वर शुभ्रांशु चौधरी की परिकल्पना है जिसे बिल थीज़, लतीफ़ आलम और समुज्जल पुरकयस्थ जैसे तकनीक के माहिरों ने मुमकिन बनाया. उन्हें बहुत-बहुत बधाई. यह पुरूस्कार सबसे पहले उन तमाम लोगों का सम्मान है जिनकी आंखें चौंधिया देनेवाली संचार क्रांति के इस दौर में आबादी का बड़ा हिस्सा उसके फल से बहुत दूर है. कम्प्यूटर-इंटरनेट तक उनकी पहुंच नहीं है और वे मुख्यधारा के तथाकथित मीडिया के सरोकारों से बाहर हैं. उनकी कहीं कोई आवाज़ नहीं है. सीजी नेट स्वर ने उन्हें ठपने दुख-दर्द, आये दिन के ज़ुल्मो-सितम के साथ ठपनी तहजीब और शानदार रवायतों को सामने लाने का बेहतरीन मौक़ा दिया. इस नायाब और सहज मौक़े को उन्होंने हाथों-हाथ लिया और आख़िरकार सीजी नेट स्वर को इस मुकाम तक पहुंचा दिया. बधाई के वे बराबर के हक़दार हैं. उन्हें मेरा सलाम. आदियोग Back to top Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (2) Recent Activity  4 New Members Visit Your Group Give Back Yahoo! for Good Get inspired by a good cause. 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