The collieries in Bihar have always been infamous for the loot and plunder of mineral resources and the economic exploitation of the masses of that region by the notorious nexus comprising the Mafia, the police and the administration of the Coal India Limited (CIL). In a struggle waged by the CPI (ML) in 1992 (then IPF) against this deadly nexus, six comrades had laid down their lives on 26 July in Raligarha collieries in the district of Hazaribagh.

This year on the same date a shahid mela (martyrs’ fair) was organised at Raligarha remembering the sacrifices of the martyrs. The large gathering comprising of people from the toiling sections of society pledged to carry forward the struggle for which the martyrs had sacrificed their lives. The fair started with a well-attended march marked by a high enthusiasm among the participants carrying traditional weapons of the region. The march culminated in a sankalp sabha (resolution meeting). Nima Majhi, father of one of the martyrs Com. Budhuwa Majhi, inaugurated the fair. Various cultural groups presented revolutionary songs on the occasion. Speakers from the Party and mass organisations, AIPWA, AICCTU and JSM spoke on the occasion.