Two NREGA activists, Bhukhan Singh and Niyamat Ansari, were arrested on false charges in Manika (Latehar District, Jharkhand) on 15 February 2009, and sent to jail on 16 February. This appears to be a retaliation against the leading role they played in the recent struggle for payment of unemployment allowances in Manika. This struggle led to the payment of the unemployment allowance in two Gram Panchayats (Kope and Jerua) on 7 February 2009, and a fine on the local BDO. For further details, see attached complaints to the DGP Jharkhand (and earlier press note in Hindi). You can help by sending a complaint to the DGP Jharkhand, V.D. Ram (tel/fax 0651-2400 738), or supporting some of the protests being planned by NREGA Watch Jharkhand (convener: Gurjeet, [email protected] Jean Dreze
