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.

During Jan Chetna Yatra of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan Bhan Sahu is talking to villagers in Janjgir district who tell her that they do not want the upcoming power plants. They think the ash from the plants will destroy their crop and electricity shock may come from the plants to them in water. She also talks to Dr Lakhan Singh of Yatra who tells her that the authorities are not respecting the laws for scheduled areas while taking farmers land for the upcoming plants. For more Bhan Ji can be reached at 08435549641

Bhan Sahu from Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh says last month I had reported that in Rainitola village people have got no NREGA work in 2012 and last year only 20 laborers got work for 2 days. After listening to report Chief Secretary of state had called me to say that NREGA work of Rs 5 lakh is ongoing in the village. I thank the Secretary for his inquiry but his information is not correct. No NREGA work has taken place in the village this year. This can be checked with Sarpanch at 07869546337. For more Bhan ji can be reached at 08962646922

In an adivasi village called Rainiltola in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh, people have applied for work under MNREGA but no work is available. They say in a interview to Bhan Sahu that 50% people from the village have migrated in search of work as no NREGA work is available. Drinking water is also not available even at 300 feet. The village needs tankers to be sent. For more please contact Bhan Sahu at 9406033089.

Bhan Sahu is reporting live from the agitation by Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha who are protesting against the police lathicharge of Adivasi rally in Raipur who was trying to go to Vidhan Sabha demanding implementation of pro adivasi laws in the constitution and against displacement of adivasis from their lands. More than hundred adivasis were injured due to lathi charge and many arrested.The protesters are demanding uncondition release of all the adivasis. For more Bhan ji can be reached at 09406033089