Due to busy schedule of the school and college examinations (from 1st week of February to 3rd week of March) we have not able do much works with the student’s community during the time frame. Though we had planned to organize ‘Exposure Visit’ programme within the January, that could not organized due to financial problem.
However, we have done following activities during the period.
1. COMMUNITY LEVEL INTERACTION
A) Steps have been under taken by the ‘Campaign for Peace, Kandhamal’ to aware the community people regarding the mission of Peace Campaign. Group discussion, discussion with community leaders and women leaders has been organized in G. Udaygiri & Raikia Block during the time frame in the month of January.
(B) Community level inter action has been continued in the month of February in Daringbadi Block.
(C) Community level awareness also continued in the month of March in Daringbadi Block.
2. SCREENING OF DOCUMENTARY ON PEACE & HARMONY
Documentary film show has been organized at Sramgudi, K.Tiarigaon , Dahu village of Daringbadi Block in the month of January, Gahiraju village of G. Udaygiri Block in the month of February, Ranaba and Tiangia village of Raikia Block on the month of March.
3. INTERVENTION ON DALITS LAND RIGHT ISSUE/MEETING WITH DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION & FACT FINDINGS
Though the campaign has always raise voice against all fundamentalist forces, after the appeal common people to reject ‘KANDHAMAL BANDH CALL’ on 25th December by some fundamentalist groups backed by BJP, we again targeted fundamentalist forces like Viswa Hindu Parisad(VHP) on the alienation of Dalit land right issues.
Please see details:
PRESS MEET REGARDING VIOLATION OF DALIT LAND RIGHTS IN KANDHAMAL:
‘BANABASI SURAKSHYA PARISAD’ CONDEMNED TO ATTACK BY VHP SUPPORTERS ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF DALITS & DEMAND JUSTICE AND SECURITY FOR THEM
Phulbani, 21-01-16: Condemning the attack on the life and livelihood of Dalits/ Scheduled Caste people by the supporter of Viswa Hindu Parisad(VHP) in the village of K. Nuagan under Brahmnigaon Police Station of Kandhamal District and demanded justice and security for the poor and deprived sections from the administration. The People’s organization fighting for the cause of tribal, forest dwellers and other deprived sections namely ‘Banabasi Surakshya Parisad’ alleged that 26 nos. landless poor scheduled caste families(officially belongs to Hindu Religion) of the village are socially, economically and politically victimized by the high caste people backed by Viswa Hindu Parisad since years after years. But the incident to forcibly occupying dalits land and give threatening has exposed the real face of VHP & Sangh Parivar about their duality, their vote politics and their slogan as ‘HINDU-HINDU : BHAI-BHAI’ (All Hindus are brothers), said by Narendra Mohanty, Convener of ‘Banabasi Surakshya Parisada’ Kandhamal.
They have nothing for their livelihood besides their home stead land and they unable to manage their family only depending on occasional wage labour in the field of high caste people. So they were cultivating some west land, Patita land including forest land near by their village, which has yet not recorded in their names. But the from the time when a government road went within the encroached lands of the dalits, that became targeted by the high caste people and they were planning how to occupy the said lands. As a result on 29th December, 2015, under the leadership of Viswa Hindu Parisad Supporters hundreds of villagers were gathered on that field and declared the land is belongs to goddess ‘PATA KHANDA’ and threatened to dalit families to leave the lands unconditionally, otherwise they would face serious consequences.
There were no other option before the poor dalits besides to inform the District Collector, Sub-Collector and Tahasildar for their protection and justice to get land right and they did so. After the instruction of the Tahasildar, Daringbadi Tahasil, when the inquiry was under process, the high caste people again threatened and forcibly occupied the lands on 15th January. But yet they have not get justice and living in a fearful and threatened atmosphere. After organizing the press conference at the district head quarter a delegation met to the district collector and the superintended of police and shouted their intervention to get justice.
PRESS RELEASE BY: NARENDRA MOHANTY/9437426647
http://www.persecution.in/node/3172
26 Kandhamal Dalit families allege eviction by (Hindu Radicals)Sangh Parivar supporters
Submitted by newsman on Mon, 25/01/2016 – 17:43
Twenty-six landless Scheduled Caste families of Brahmanigaon police station area of Kandhamal district in Odisha are facing atrocities by Sangh Parivar activists and supporters, alleged Banabasi Surakshya Parishad, an organisation of tribals and Dalits in the district.
A delegation of these families from K. Nuagaon village comprising of Balabhadra Mallik, Kabiraj Mallik, Dushasan Mallik, Jimbura Mallik and convenor of ‘Banabasi Surakshya Parishad’, Narendra Mohanty, met Kandhamal Superintendent of Police K. V. Singh and handed over a memorandum demanding justice and security. They alleged that land they had been using for agriculture had been forcibly taken by the supporters of the Sangh Parivar. These families alleged that despite being Hindus, they were being troubled only because they were of low caste, while the supporters of Sangh Parivar were of higher castes. As per findings of ‘Banabasi Surakshya Parishad’, these 26 families of K. Nuagaon did not have any other possession except their homestead land and earned their living as daily wagers. They used to cultivate on some forest and revenue land near their village. Despite several requests and attempts, these families have not got legal right over the land. Higher caste persons started to eye the land when a road was built near by. On December 29, 2015, Sangh Parivar supporters gathered here and announced that a temple of goddess Patakhanda ould be built on it. They also threatened the Dalit families, said Mr Mohanty.
According to representatives of these Dalit families, they had also approached the district administration. Daringbadi tehsildar has started an enquiry of revenue department. It is alleged that irked by it, Sangh Parivar supporters again threatened these families on January 15 and occupied the land.
Media Coverage
The Hindu
BERHAMPUR, January 23, 2016
Updated: January 23, 2016 05:40 IST
26 Dalit families allege eviction by Sangh Parivar supporters
- STAFF REPORTER
Twenty-six landless Scheduled Caste families of Brahmanigaon police station area of Kandhamal district in Odisha are facing atrocities by Sangh Parivar activists and supporters, alleged Banabasi Surakshya Parishad, an organisation of tribals and Dalits in the district.
A delegation of these families from K. Nuagaon village comprising of Balabhadra Mallik, Kabiraj Mallik, Dushasan Mallik, Jimbura Mallik and convenor of ‘Banabasi Surakshya Parishad’, Narendra Mohanty, met Kandhamal Superintendent of Police K. V. Singh and handed over a memorandum demanding justice and security. They alleged that land they had been using for agriculture had been forcibly taken by the supporters of the Sangh Parivar. These families alleged that despite being Hindus, they were being troubled only because they were of low caste, while the supporters of Sangh Parivar were of higher castes. As per findings of ‘Banabasi Surakshya Parishad’, these 26 families of K. Nuagaon did not have any other possession except their homestead land and earned their living as daily wagers. They used to cultivate on some forest and revenue land near their village. Despite several requests and attempts, these families have not got legal right over the land. Higher caste persons started to eye the land when a road was built nearby. On December 29, 2015, Sangh Parivar supporters gathered here and announced that a temple of goddess Patakhanda ould be built on it. They also threatened the Dalit families, said Mr Mohanty.
According to representatives of these Dalit families, they had also approached the district administration. Daringbadi tehsildar has started an enquiry of revenue department. It is alleged that irked by it, Sangh Parivar supporters again threatened these families on January 15 and occupied the land.
Orissadiary.com
Bhumi Adhikar Andolan, Odisha alleged upper caste, ruling elite deprive Dalits of Land Right
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Report by Odisha Diary bureau, Bhubaneswar: Fact Finding Team of Bhumi Adhikar Andolan, Odisha regarding complain on Violation of Dalit Land Right by the upper caste people at Kandhamal district and demolition of houses of dalits by the administration at Ganjam district. After the fact findings the team arranged a press meet at Berhampur(CPI(M) OFFICE) & expressed their concern on the issues and released their statement on today. In that press meet they accused the conspiracy of some vested interest upper caste, ruling elite with the administration are depriving dalit and adivasis from their basic land rights. After a two days fact finding visit by the team of Bhumi Adhikar Andolan, Odisha on the allegation on violation of dalit land rights in Kandhamal and Ganjam district the press conference was arranged at CPI (M) Office Berhampur. They alleged that in the name of temple land the upper caste vested interests backed by VHP (Viswa Hindu Parisad) are trying to evict/deprive 26 numbers families belongs to dalit(scheduled caste) from their occupied land in the Nuagam village under Brahmnigaon police station of Daringbadi Tahasil, Kandhamal district. Similarly the administration has been demolished 21 houses of poor, dalit families in Saantaraghai village of Asurbandha G.P under Sorada Tahasil of Ganjam district without giving prior notice to them in the name of widening the National Highway-59, though their houses were situated about 15-20 feet distance from the complete road. In one side the VHP is trying to create caste conflict with the poor, landless dalits in Kandhamal district and in a conspiracy to grab the land encroached by dalits. Though from 1983 there are encroachment cases against the name of landless dalits by the Daringbadi Tahasil, no step has been taken yet to settle the land in their names. On the other hand the poor dalits of Sorada block who are living from 1990 flood at Saantaraghai village in govt. land only 8 families have land patta without demarcation. Their name has been enrolled in the voter list, NREGA job card, BPL Electricity connection and 3 families have also selected for Indira Abas Jojana. Still they have been deprived are their houses are totally destroyed by the administration has reflected the ‘dual face’ of Naveen Pattnaik government, alleged by the fact finding team. The team met Police Station in-charge of both Brahmnigaon and Sorada, Tahasildar of Daringbadi and Sorada, M.L.A of Sorada constituency and expressed their concern over the issue. They also submitted memorandum to the southern zone Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Berhampur.
They demanded immediate intervention of administration to give justice to the affected families. The team included Abhiram Behera-the state president of Odisha Krusak Sabha, Srikanta Mohanty, State Secretary of AIKMKS, Bijay Swain of Chasi Adhikar Sangram Manch, Ganjam and Narendra Mohanty- State Convener of INSAF, Odisha.
– See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=65008#sthash.PKdZnHOY.dpuf
4. ASSOCIATED WITH ANCHALIK NARI MAHASANGHA TO CELEBRATE INTER NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
We could not observe International Women’s Day due to our absence for Mumbai Workshop. But on the eve of International Women’s Day our members were associated with Anchalik Nari Mahasangha, Brahmnigaon and Daringbadi area. They organized rally on the occasion.
5. ASSOCIATED WITH AISA/ AIYF ON OBSERVATION OF MARTYAR’S DAY OF SAHEED BHAGAT SINGH
Due to official holiday and Holi, we could not able to organize Martyrs ‘Day of Saheed Bhagat Singh on 23rd March. But we were associated with All India Students Association/AIPF and All India Youth Federation programme on Bhagat Singh. Mr. Ram Nag, the General Secretary of JNUSU along with others was the speaker at AISA meeting. The speech of Kanheya Kumar was screened at the AIYF meeting in the evening. Our team done the video documentation of both the programme at Bhubaneswar.
6. MASS RALLY OF TURMERIC FARMERS IN ASSOCIATION WITH DARINGBADI KRUSAK MAHASANGHA.
On 28th March with association of ‘Daringbadi Krushak Mahasangh’ a Mass Rally of Tribal, Dalits and other poor people(basically turmeric farmers) was organized demanding minimum support price for turmeric and zinger where our team took lead role.
It may be noted that against the continuous exploitation to the turmeric farmer(specially tribal, dalits and poor farmers from other communities) by the nexus of Govt. officers, businessmen and political people the farmers rally was organized. Demanding genuine price of turmeric as Rs.200/-(per Kg.) and for Zinger as Rs.100/-(per Kg.) thousands of farmers across Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district were organized a big rally and meeting at block head quarter and submitted memorandums to Chief Minister, Special Administrator,Kandhamal and District Collector, Kandhamal through Block Development Officer, Daringbadi Block. Mr. Bhalachandra Sadhangi, National Committee Member of A.I.K.M.S, Mr. Narendra Mohanty, Convener, Banabasi Suraskha Parisad, Kandhamal, Mr. Junash Pradhan (Ex. Chair-person of Daringbadi Panchayat Samittee) was the speakers on the occasion. Among others Mr. Chakradhar Mallick, Renowned Social Activist, Mr. Jayachandra Padra(Tribal Leader), Mr. Minura Pradhan, Mr. Lenka Pradhan, Mr. Mikhail Pradhan(Youth Leader), Bidhyadhar Mallick, Mrs. Saniri Pradhan, Bhanumati Mallick and Sarasila Pradhan were took the leadership on behalf of ‘DARINGBADI KRUSAK MAHASANGHA’.
Media coverage
Odisha turmeric farmers organized mass rally at Daringbadi demanding minimum support price of turmeric
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
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Report by Odisha Diary bureau, Daringabdi: Odisha turmeric farmers organized mass rally at Daringbadi in Kandhamal district demanding minimum support price of turmeric.
Demanding genuine price of turmeric as Rs.200/-(per Kg.) and for Zinger as Rs.100/-(per Kg.) thousands of farmers across Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district were organized a big rally and meeting at block head quarter and submitted memorandums to Chief Minister, Special Administrator, Kandhamal and District Collector, Kandhamal through Block Development Officer, Daringbadi Block.
Mr. Bhalachandra Sadhangi, National Committee Member of A.I.K.M.S, Mr. Narendra Mohanty, Convener, Banabasi Suraskha Parisad, Kandhamal, Mr. Junash Pradhan (Ex. Chair-person of Daringbadi Panchayat Samittee) were the speakers on the occasion. Among others Mr. Chakradhar Mallick, Renowned Social Activist, Mr. Jayachandra Padra(Tribal Leader), Mr. Minura Pradhan, Mr. Lenka Pradhan, Mr. Mikhail Pradhan(Youth Leader), Bidhyadhar Mallick, Mrs. Saniri Pradhan, Bhanumati Mallick and Sarasila Pradhan were took the leadership on behalf of ‘DARINGBADI KRUSAK MAHASANGHA’.
It may be noted that against the continuous exploitation to the turmeric farmer (specially tribal, dalits and poor farmers from other communities) by the nexus of Govt. officers, businessmen and political people the farmers rally was organized.
– See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=65953#sthash.bpXx2psY.dpuf
***
The Hindu
BERHAMPUR, March 29, 2016
Updated: March 29, 2016 05:46 IST
Turmeric, ginger farmers demand better prices
- STAFF REPORTER
Tribal organic cultivators of turmeric and ginger in Kandhamal district of Odisha held a demonstration at Daringbadi on Monday demanding that the government assures proper procurement price for their produce to end distress sale and exploitation at hands of traders.
Peasants from all parts of Kandhamal district took part in a rally at Daringbadi. A public meeting was also held to highlight problems of these poor farmers. This rally was attended by national committee member of peasants’ organisation All-India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha (AIKMS), Bhala Chandra Sarangi, convenor of Banavasi Surakshya Parishad, Narendra Mohanty and peasant leaders of the district.
They demanded the government to come up with a procurement mechanism through which the farmers could be ensured to sell their turmeric produce at Rs.200 per kg and ginger at Rs.100 per kg. At present these traditional organic cultivators are compelled to sell their turmeric at Rs.40 to 70 and ginger at Rs.10 to 20 rupees per kilo. It is an irony that a few years back these peasants were selling their turmeric at Rs.150 per kilo, said Mr Sarangi alleging that the present fall in procurement price has occurred due to a nefarious link between officials and traders.
Till now these traditional organic turmeric and ginger cultivators are not getting agricultural loans at lower interest. They wanted low interest loans from nationalised banks and cooperative institutions. Mr Mohanty alleged that earlier cooperatives like Auxiliary Marketing Cooperative Society of Tikabali, Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation, KASAM used to procure organic turmeric and ginger from tribal farmers. But the process has almost stopped now. Establishment of cold storages and renovation of existing godowns for storage of organic turmeric and ginger produce to end distress sell was also demanded. Demonstrators handed over a memorandum addressed to Odisha CM and Kandhamal collector at the office of Daringbadi Block Development officer regarding their problems and demands.
For generations traditional organic cultivation of turmeric and ginger continues in Kandhamal district. Till now these cultivators have refrained from using chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Their organic produce has much demand outside Kandhamal district, including foreign countries. But the tribal peasants who grow them do not get proper price for their yield.
Reported by: Narendra Mohanty