Subhash Gayali from Ranchi says Jharkhand Mines Area co-ordination committee condemns the arrest of social activists Ramesh Agrawal and Harihar Patel in Chhattisgarh. The statement says Ramesh Agrawal had exposed unconstitutional work of Jinadals that is why he has been sent to jail. They demand an investigation of the arrest and immediate release of both the activists.

Kailash Meena from Sikar district of Rajasthan is reporting about ongoing protest against illegal mining. He says the farmers are sitting on peaceful dharna from 5th April. on 19th police tried to break the agitation by force, then on 4th May arrested 12 people including 6 women. They were illegally kept in jail for 2 days before being charged with unbailable offences. People have started hunger fast since and some of them are in bad situation. He requests everyone to help to put pressure on Govt. Meena ji can be reached at 09587463823

Raja from Satna says near his village illegal mining work in the forest area is going from last 4 months. People work in the night and stop work during the day. He says I have informed the forest ranger about it and he says he will catch them on spot. Now it is 11.30 in the night the mining work is going on and Ranger is not picking up my phone after picking it up once. I want to bring it to the notice of higher forest officials. Are forest laws only for poor which puts so many restrictions on them? Raja can be reached on 0997745588

Tushar Das from Orissa is replying to the message sent by Santosh Indivar from Surguja in Chhattisgarh about illegal mining in his village on forest land. Tushar says under Forest Rights Act Gram Sabha is empowered to take decisions for all the work in community forest area and there are several examples of usage of the act to stop such illegal work in Orissa. If they need more help then they can call Tushar at 09861048888

Santosh Indwar from Kusmi area of Surguja district in Chhattisgarh is interviewing a villager who says in their village illegal stone mining on forest land is going on for two years. Illegally mined stone is being used in Pradhanmatri Gram Sadak Yojna. Villagers have complained to forest offcials but the contractors pay money to officers and the work once again starts. For more on the story please contact Santosh Ji at 09826157641