Massive Public Mobilization in Ambikapur Against Mining Projects
The streets of Ambikapur town in Chhattisgarh witnessed a massive public mobilization. Thousands of villagers took to the streets in a huge rally. They also held a public meeting to voice their concerns.
Widespread Opposition to Mining Expansion
The protest focused on large-scale mining projects across the Surguja division. Villagers raised strong objections to alleged violations of gram sabha rights. The issue resonated deeply with the local community.
Multiple groups united for this mobilization. The Hasdeo Bachao Sangharsh Samiti and Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan convened the protest. Tribal groups, farmers' organizations, and environmentalists joined forces. Workers, women, and students also participated actively.
Protesters expressed united opposition to environmental destruction. They highlighted threats to water sources, forests, land, and biodiversity. The expansion of mining projects worries them greatly.
Constitutional Protections and Local Rights
Bhanupratap Singh, former chairperson of the State Scheduled Tribes Commission, made a clear statement. He reminded authorities that Chhattisgarh operates under the Fifth Schedule. The Forest Rights Act and PESA apply here fully.
"No land acquisition will be accepted without gram sabha consent," Singh emphasized. He insisted that these laws must be followed in both letter and spirit.
Sunita Porte, a Hasdeo Bachao activist, recalled important decisions. The Chhattisgarh assembly unanimously resolved to cancel all coal mines in Hasdeo in July 2022. The Wildlife Institute of India recommended keeping the entire Hasdeo landscape mining-free in 2021.
"Despite these resolutions, the state recommended the new Kente Extension coal project," Porte revealed. This project would require cutting over six lakh trees. She alleged forged Gram Sabha resolutions secured forest clearance for Parsa coal block.
Specific Mining Threats Across Regions
Mining expansion affects multiple areas. Coal, bauxite, graphite, and lithium projects are expanding from Koriya to Raigarh. Villagers from Mainpat warned about fresh bauxite leases on their plateau.
This plateau serves as a key tourism and water catchment zone. New mining could trigger severe drinking water crises in Ambikapur and nearby areas.
Residents from graphite-survey villages in Wadrafnagar block reported official pressure. They said officials push ahead with exploration despite gram sabha opposition. Some officials even threatened to jail demonstrators.
Babulal from Madanpur spoke about the Gare Palma IV coal block's impact. "The Adivasi is the real owner of forest and land," he asserted. "The Constitution protects us. Using the Coal Bearing Areas Act to snatch our rights is open loot."
Memorandum to Chief Minister
Protesters submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The document reiterated several key demands:
- Cancel forest and environmental clearances for Kente Extension
- Stop land acquisition and surveys for projects in Madanpur and Amera
- Scrap new bauxite mines in Mainpat
- Halt graphite surveys in Balrampur villages
- Withdraw false criminal cases against protesters
- Enforce prior informed Gram Sabha consent in all Fifth Schedule areas
The letter warned about serious ecological consequences. Destruction of the Hasdeo Aranya landscape already risks the Minimata Hasdeo Bango dam. Human-elephant conflict has escalated sharply with hundreds killed in elephant attacks.
Warning of Escalated Action
Protesters issued a clear warning to authorities. "If our demands are ignored, we will come back in thousands," one protester declared. They threatened to start an indefinite movement.
Slogans echoed through the rally. "Stop cutting our forests" and "Stop looting Chhattisgarh's mineral wealth" captured the protesters' sentiments. The mobilization showed deep public concern about mining expansion and rights violations.
