The CPI(ML) Jharkhand Committee has decided to hold a broad-based ‘Jharkhand Navnirman’ mass convention in mid-February to bring forth a genuine pro-people democratic agenda for development of the state. Party will also organise a ‘Anti- Fascism March’ as the culmination of the current phase of Anti-Communal Fascism Campaign launched by six Left parties. A massive signature campaign is also going on in this regard.
These steps mark Party’s heightened offensive against BJP-led Marandi government. Throughout the last year CPI(ML) launched number of struggles to make Marandi government kneel down time and again. Repression unleashed by the state has failed to check the spate of the movement. Now the party has planned to deepen the movement as well as take necessary initiatives towards forging a strong Left alternative in the state.
The fag end of the last year witnessed CPI(ML)-led ‘March to Legislative Assembly’on 26 December. Besides demanding a clear-cut definition of the term “local” the objective was to foil the BJP conspiracy to divide the Jharkhand society on this issue and expose the government's pretext of controversy over definition of ‘local’ sought only to stop fresh recruitment.
Coming to struggles at the grassroots, in Bokaro around 5,000 workers belonging to 20 brick kilns successfully conducted their strike from 17 to 22 November on the demand to raise the wage rate from Rs.100 to Rs.160 per 1000 bricks. To mobilize workers and put pressure on brick-kiln owners Party held a mass meeting at Baradih village of Jaridih Block on 17 November, and thereafter organized rallies at each brick kiln on 18 November. Panicked brick kiln owners approached JMM leaders and the JMM district president Laloo Soren announced withdrawal of the strike. However, the workers succeeded in averting the split over this issue and the brick-kiln owners got ultimately compelled to compromise on increasing the daily wages to Rs.115 per 1000.
Situation in Ranchi is improving and recently some of the old bases have come back to our fold from MCC influence. Following a political campaign against minister-criminal-police nexus, a mass meeting was held on 15 November '02, in which more than 1,000 people participated. A march was conducted covering 40-50 villages against loot and rape by MCC.
In Hazaribagh, a few days back a ‘Jan Adhikar Rally’ was held at Vishnugarh, participated in by around 4,000 people. A call to intensify the movement to strengthen democracy at the grassroots and guarantee people’s supervision over developmental works was issued at the meeting.
In December, the Party actively intervened in the movement to oppose the construction of a power house at Lodhma in Ramgarh Block of Hazaribagh. The Party strongly protested the administration’s arbitrary attempt to forcibly construct the power house without taking the local people in confidence. To disperse the demonstrators the circle officer resorted to police force but the villagers resisted and made them retreat.
In Dumka district of Santhal Paragana region, the Sankalp Sabha held in memory of youthful district secretary Comrade Babudhan Kisku on 20 December ’02 refilled the Party ranks and masses with confidence and vigour. Attended by around 4,000 people, the meeting pledged to raise the ongoing struggles to yet higher level and gave a fitting rebuff to the malicious propaganda against the Party spread by landlords and police. Significant initiatives of crops seizure have been taken in Raneshwar, Kundohit, Nala and Maslia blocks of Dumka district.
In Giridih, panchayat level structures have been organized in 50-60 panchayats to strengthen the organization at grassroots. Road marches and lathi marches organized against corruption and social oppression have become a routine affair. The Jan Adhikar Rally of Giridih was held on Jan 7 against police repression, corruption and POTA. Attended by more than 4,000 people, the rally also highlighted demands related to land and power problems.
In Koeridih panchayat of Bagodar Block, the lathi-march organised by the Party on Jan 13 to counter the terror by MCC and criminals of the area was widely welcomed. The criminals are getting active support from the police and local administration. In protest to the govt. complicity and inaction, a torchlight procession was also held on Jan 7.
A Jan Adalat (People’s Court) was organised against rising corruption and continuing smuggling of forest and fisheries produce at Dondlo Panchayat of Bagodar block on Jan 10. The smugglers are getting protection from Congress politicians. The Jan Adalat has forced the administration to order arrest of many smugglers.
Party also took initiative in reoccupying land of a poor peasant captured by powerful feudal elements of the area in Serua village of Giridih district.
On 22 January the police fired on CPI(ML) demonstrators peacefully protesting before Markaccho PS in Koderma district, killing three persons including a woman and injuring dozens of agitators. During the firing, Comrades Mahesh Singh, Ashok Yadav and Ratan Modi embraced martyrdom on the spot. The demonstrators were protesting against rising criminal activities and police atrocities, and they wanted to talk to the OC. Without any warning, lathicharge or firing in the air, the police started aiming the demonstrators above the waist and fired to kill them. And they did not stop after the initial rounds; they chased the agitators and fired upon the retreating people. This is a clear case of killing people to suppress rising mass protest. The Party has demanded that the police officers and men responsible for the firing be charged with planned murder and called to observe ‘Black Day’ throughout the state on 23 January and Koderma Bandh on 24 January to protest the firing.
-- Manoj Bhakt