Rajesh had ‘secure’ life goals to survive until he saw the desperation to survive and need of justice all around him – in his country, community, even in his own family. As a young man, Rajesh had always dreamed of having a “secure job and secure earnings, with more than enough to survive.”  That all changed one day when he…

Rajesh Gupta

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In 14 villages under 8 Panchayats in Tamnar Block of Chhattisgarh, Adani is eyeing over 115 acres of land and forests to mine coal.

Umeshsingh Sidar, the president of Sarpanch Sangh in Tamnar block of Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh is angry. "The officials sent us a notice that in these 14 villages they want the Gramsabhas (village councils) to give permission to acquire and mine in our land. This includes land given to the indigenous people for farming, forests, rivers and lakes. Essentially it is a plan to displace us from our homes for coal," he adds. Community Correspondent Rajesh Gupta's report reveals that the Gram Sabhas have also been threatened with arrest if they refuse to comply. So far there have been three Gram Sabha meetings and each time the people have overwhelmingly voted against the move to acquire their land. Savita Rath, a popular movements leader in this region adds "There are 8 coal mines and 56 power plants in this region. The resulting environmental pollution affects not only the villagers but even farming, the forests and wildlife. If the government refuses to listen to us the people's representatives here are ready to take the fight to the courts, along with building a popular movement."

The adverse effects of mining coal in this region is well documented. From a polluted Kelo river that flows through Tamnar and reduced production of forest produce like mahua and tendu leaves, the coal pollutants have not even spared the residents from respiratory diseases. Adani's record, from Australia to Goa, also doesn't leave much to the imagination. If Adani succeeds in arm-twisting its way into the 14 villages in Tamnar, it would directly affect over 16000 people. The irony is that India has reiterated its commitment to the Paris Climate Accord and the government is also increasingly moving away from thermal energy as clean solar power is becoming cheaper. 

Community Correspondent Rajesh Gupta's report reveals once more what is an oft-repeated story: marginalised people, particularly the Dalits and adivasis are dispensable. They can be threatened, fired upon, forced to work in terrible conditions at low wages, migrate and live in poverty while the coal mined from their lands power air-conditioned flats of the urban middle-class and rich.  The people of Tamnar are not silent. All 61 panchayats in Tamnar have come together to protest. They have taken out protest rallies and submitted their demands in writing to the officials. The question remains, do we want to remain silent spectators on the sidelines as the land, forests and water along with lives get slowly destroyed?

To help the people of Tamnar in their fight against corporate greed, call District Collector of Raigarh on +91-9425532380 and ask her to suspend the forcible acquisition of land in Tamnar block.

Video by Community Correspondent Rajesh Gupta

Article by Madhura Chakraborty, a member of the VV editorial team