Coal news and updates

Mahan coal: Release of activist demanded

A protest was carried by villagers of Mahan in Singrauli district on Monday, demanding early release of Mahan Sangarsh Samiti (MSS) activist, who is in jail for the past two weeks. Protest was held outside the collector's office.

Amelia village resident Bechan Lal Shah was one of the four activists arrested during protest against tree felling for clearing Mahan coal block, allocated to Essar Power and Hindalco Industries.

Protestors also demanded an FIR against the forged gram sabha resolution, based on which the company got stage II forest clearance.

Activists claim that though the gram sabha was attended by 182 people, a copy of the resolution acquired through Right to Information shows 1,125 signatures. Villagers claim most signatures were forged. It has signatures of people who died long ago, said MSS activists.

While a group of activists stayed back in the forests, guarding it against any kind of mining activity, villagers travelled to Waidhan to knock the doors of the local administrators.

The peaceful dharna saw participation of organizations such as, Mayur Sanghatan, Kisan Aadivasi Visthapit Ekta Manch, Sarvhit Seva Sansthan, Amrita Seva Sansthan and Suvidha Seva Sansthan.

54 villages are dependent on forests of Mahan. Community members from five villages (Amelia, Bandhaura, Budher, Suhira and Barwantola) are carrying an organized protest under MSS banner to assert their forest rights.

The coal block, initially rejected by former environment minister Jairam Ramesh, was granted in principal (Stage I) approval by the MoEF on October 18, 2012.

The approval came with 36 conditions, which required a range of studies to be completed and the processes under the Forest Rights Act to be complied with.

On February 12, 2014, Veerappa Moily-led environment ministry granted the stage II forest clearance on the basis of this doctored document, allege MSS activists.

Source: The Times of India