Bachchu Kadu lights lamps with project-hit farmers in Bhadravati, warns of intensified agitation

Farmers affected by the New Era Cleantech coal gasification project and the New Greta Energy company in Bhadravati taluka held a "deep jalao" (light the lamps) agitation on the eve of Diwali, on Friday, the 6th. The agitation was led by MLA Bachchu Kadu. Women and affected farmers held lamps in their hands to draw the attention of the company and the government.

Kadu joined the agitation through the efforts of Lok Sabha coordinator Mukesh Jivtode. Adv. Deepak Chatap, state president of the Kisan Sanghatana Yuva Morcha, and Jivtode were especially present on the stage. Sangharsh Samiti president Pravin Satpute, Shiv Sena district chief Yuvraj Dhanorkar, vice-president Sudhir Satpute and Madhukar Sawankar were among others on the stage. Chetan Gundawar conducted the programme and Anup Khutemate gave the introductory address.

Kadu took a firm stand on three main demands: ex gratia compensation, a guarantee of jobs for local people, and a tripartite agreement among the company, the government and the affected farmers. He warned that if no positive decision was taken on these demands, an intense agitation would be launched, first by guerrilla-style methods and then by directly taking to the field.

Kadu said that if injustice was being done, he would fight without any attachment to power. He also targeted the local BJP MLA. In his words, when we joined the agitation, light fell on the local MLA's mind. He appealed to people not to fear police batons and to be ready for the struggle along with their families.

Warning the company management, Kadu said, "If the project-affected farmers do not get justice, we will storm into the company in guerrilla style!" He said that taking farmers' land and ignoring their rights would not be tolerated and that the struggle would continue until local people got justice. He said he was always ready, setting party politics aside, to resolve the issues of farmers, workers, the disabled and labourers. He also said he was ready to take cases on himself and take lathi blows in an agitation against injustice. He added that if justice was not delivered, the company's operations would not be allowed to begin.

Adv. Deepak Chatap, in his speech, criticised the role of elected representatives and the government. He said the affected farmers' demands were just and that injustice by the company and the government would not be tolerated. He said that had MLA Devtale fulfilled his responsibility and tried to resolve the farmers' issues, farmers would not have been forced to agitate on Diwali.

Chatap assured the farmers that he would always stand with them in both the court and the street battles for their rights. He warned that if the government and elected representatives did not pay attention to these issues, it would not take long to bar ministers and elected representatives from entering villages and the district.

Mukesh Jivtode appealed to everyone to set aside party politics, come together and build a fight for the affected farmers' rightful claims. He spoke of fighting united on the issues of affected farmers, unemployed youth, labourers and local citizens.

Affected farmers from surrounding villages joined the agitation in large numbers. The Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) was also visibly present in strength. The agitation concluded peacefully and in an orderly manner. A large police deployment was in place to prevent any disturbance.

All office-bearers of the Nippon Project-Affected Sangharsh Samiti and local farmers worked hard to make the agitation a success. It was warned that if the company and the government did not heed the agitation, the protest would intensify. Farmers in the area are now watching what decision the government and the company take.