Farmers Movement Archive

Visible change from past but current government silent on core issues: JJM

Ranchi: A day before the second anniversary of the Hemant Soren-led alliance government on Wednesday, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (JJM), a group of several rights bodies, on Tuesday said despite getting a clear mandate, the incumbent administration has failed to bring any significant relief and improvement in the lives of the common people. It, however, added that there has been a visible improvement in the communal atmosphere as compared to the previous regime and some works were done according to people’s expectations but the government remained silent on several core issues. In a statement, the JJM said, “As compared to the previous government, there has been a visible improvement in the communal atmosphere in the state. The recent bill against lynching and mob violence is a commendable initiative. The government also showed a firm commitment to the rights of migrant workers during and after the Covid lockdown. Along with this, increasing the coverage of the public distribution system and the pension schemes was a step in the right direction.” The statement, however, said there has been no difference in the “repressive and anti-people attitude” of the police and the security forces. It also said Adivasis were also subjected to violence by the security violence. Stating that neither the victims were given compensation nor action was taken against the culprits in such cases, the JJM cited the example of the killing of an Adivasi, Brahmadev Singh, who was killed by security forces, while going to the jungle for the traditional hunting festival on June 12, 2021, at Piri village in Latehar district. “Not even an FIR was filed despite a written complaint filed by Brahmadev’s wife,” the statement says. “The lack of commitment of the government towards the protection of human rights is also exposed by the fact that the state human rights commission, women's commission and the information commission are lying defunct,” it says. On the Pathalgarhi cases, the statement says, “Even after two years of the announcement of withdrawal of all Pathalgadi cases, they are yet to be withdrawn. All the cases are similar, but the government has recommended withdrawal of only 60% of the total 30 FIRs.” Stating that both JMM and Congress, in their election manifestos, had promised action to release undertrials (tribals, Dalits, backward and minorities jailed in minor cases without conviction), the JJM said, “There is complete silence on this issue too. The Hemant Soren government had raised its voice against the inhuman arrest of Stan Swamy and paid him a tribute after his death, but it remained silent on the issues raised by Stan.” It further said the government had promised to repeal the amendments made in the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 (to weaken the social and environmental impact assessment) by the previous administration, but has not yet taken any action in this direction. “On the contrary, it is vigorously implementing the central government’s pro-corporate schemes. The government supported the movement against the three farm laws but it remains silent on its election promise of fixing the MSP for vegetables and fruits,” the mahasabha said. The JJM also accused the government of trying to forcefully acquire land for a hydel power plant at Luguburu Pahad (Bokaro) despite opposition by hundreds of local Adivasis.

The Times of India

2021-12-29

Ranchi