Brinda Karat Accuses Companies of “Looting” Tribal Land in Jharkhand’s Santal Pargana Region
In a fiery accusation, senior CPI M leader Brinda Karat has alleged that domestic and foreign companies are engaged in the “looting” of tribal land in Jharkhand’s Santal Pargana region. Speaking at a convention in Dumka, Karat stated that these companies, motivated by mineral reserves, are colluding with local brokers to carry out these activities in violation of the Santal Pargana Tenancy Act, designed to protect tribal land.
Violation of Tribal Land Rights and circumventing Gram Sabhas
According to Karat, the allocation of coal blocks to both government and private sectors through auctions by the Narendra Modi administration has facilitated this exploitation. She further claimed that the intimidation tactics employed by these brokers have created an environment of fear, making the tribals residing near the Pachuada coal block hesitant to raise their voices against these companies. This, she argued, was a grave violation of their rights and the principles of community governance established by the Gram Sabhas.
Outsourcing of Coal Mining without Consideration for Workers and Landowners
Adding to the criticism, Karat accused the Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) of outsourcing coal mining tasks to multiple companies that showed little regard for the interests of laborers and private landowners. Farmers’ lands were allegedly acquired by the ECL without fulfilling promises of adequate compensation, rehabilitation, and job opportunities. These cases have remained unresolved, leaving hundreds of individuals affected and aggrieved.
Concerns over the Pollution of the Ganges River
Beyond land exploitation, Karat expressed concern over the pollution of the river Ganges near Sahebganj town. Despite substantial expenditures on the “Namami Gange project,” which aims to rejuvenate the river, pollution levels in the Ganges river are still alarming. The over-exploitation and contamination of the river pose significant threats to both the environment and the local ecosystems. Karat warned that if these exploitative practices and pollution were not addressed, there is a risk of depleting underground water levels, further exacerbating the overall environmental crisis.
Karat’s allegations raise serious questions about the sustainability and effectiveness of policies governing private sector involvement in resource extraction. These practices not only disregard legal provisions designed to protect tribal land and rights but also contribute to environmental degradation. Efforts should be made to address these concerns promptly and ensure that proper compensation, protection of tribal land, and ecological preservation are of utmost priority in the region.
