Friday, February 17, 2012

Medha Patkar's Letter to National Commission for Minorities on Forbesganj Firing

February 17, 2012

Shri.Wajahat Habibullah,

Chairman,

National Commission For Minorities,

Dear Sir Habibullah ji,

Namaskar !

This is in furtherance of our telephonic dialogue on the issue of atrocities committed against the community at Bhajanpur, forbesganj, Bihar.

We, as a team of activists from NAPM, during a campaign for people’s empowerment (Lokshakti Abhiyan), visited Bhajanpur,on January 24th. It was indeed shocking to see the plight of the people under threat and harassment since last 6 months without any enquiry, with no offer for compensation. The whole incidence of rounds of firing, killing four and wounding many is certainly not justifiable and is now known to be merely an act of vengeance and repression by the agents and officials related with the company, Auro Sundaram. It is also absolutely unacceptable that no action has been taken or any arrests made against culprits till date.

On the other hand, even today, the people from four villages esp. Bhajanpur, are being asked to either enter in to a compromise with the Factory owners and governmental supporters of theirs or give up every demand. The Factory owners are also undemocratically pushing ahead the construction of the wall which is denying the people a right to communication through their generations old, road being occupied and cut off. This is not only unjust but will worsen the conflict.

Your intervention as a chairman of NCM is seen by everyone as an important support, however, It’s also noted that your recommendations after the first visit have not been responded to by the State government. Nor have they brought out a report of the judicial enquiry nor has any compensation, even for the dead/killed offered or paid till date. The most important is that the state authorities, except the Home Secretary, have not taken it seriously to look into or resolve the conflict. The Chief Minister himself has obviously avoided the same.

It’s a matter of fact, as enquired by me and my colleagues in NAPM, that there is unanimity among people’s organisations regarding the community’s rights to the concerned road and the factory has not followed due democratic process nor has it kept its promise to exclude the road and protect their interests. It is, therefore, unfortunate and unjust that the State is protecting the corporate interests not those of the minority community. Karbala, market, hospital etc. will not remain accessible for women-men of Bhajanpur and other villages, if alternative- 3 kms. Away is suggested. In this context, we urge you to urgently intervene to :

Ensure your recommendations are followed.

Judicial enquiry, with hearing in the villages is completed and interim report at least be submitted.

Compensation is paid at the rate of at least 5 Lakh per deceased and 1 Lakh for the wounded.

Construction of wall is stopped immediately, at least till the conflict is resolved.

Known culprits including then S.P.Araria, Garima Malik one booked.

Thank you, hoping a response,

Yours Sincerely,

Medha Patkar

No comments: