Bhan Sahu is reporting from Sarkeli village in Chhattisgarh. Today is the fourth day of the Jan Chetna Yatra organized by Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan. Krishnadas Mahant ji is holding a dharna on land rights at Sarkeli. An interview with Krishnadas ji –

B.S. : Since when is the dharna in progress?
K.M : The dharna has been on since 15th February and will go on indefinitely until the government accedes to our demands. Our only demand is that we do not want to give up our lands to the government on any condition and that no plans should be made for our land. When they accept this, we will cease the dharna. Otherwise it will continue indefinitely.

B.S. : Has the government responded?
K.M.: SDM saheb came after the 2nd or 3rd day and said, “This demonstration that you are doing…the elephant is dead, what is the point of posing for photographs with the corpse?”
We asked him to give this to us in writing, but he avoided the subject and said we would receive it in 15-20 days and went away.
We have not seen him since nor has he asked about us.

B.S. : Has anyone else supported you in your dharna?
K.M. : Yes many people have supported us, such as Chetna Manch, Samman Manch, Jal Jangal Bachao Sangharsh Samiti and leaders of the Bahujan Samaj Party. We have also got support from many other parties and people and we are confident that we will be successful and that the government will have to accede to our demands.

B.S. : An invitation to the listeners of CGNet, there is a meeting on 20 April 2012,at Janjgir at 11 AM. All activists and development workers in the area are invited to attend and show their support for this cause.

You can reach Bhan ji at 9993675635 for more details.