Ex-CM Vows Government Will Prevent Future Migration From Displaced Villages
Key Points:
- Babulal Marandi visits five villages displaced by Pachuwara North coal block
- Villagers raise concerns over land, jobs, health and drinking water
- BJP chief calls for rehabilitation plan spanning next 50 to 100 years
PAKUR – Former Chief Minister and BJP state president Babulal Marandi visited Amrapada on Friday to hear grievances from villages affected by the Pachuwara North coal block. He toured Chilgo, Bishunpur, Kathaldih, Taljhari and Singhdehri, speaking directly with residents about their ongoing struggles.
Villagers told Marandi that they continue to face difficulties over land rights, employment, education, healthcare and drinking water. Many said existing arrangements addressed only the current generation’s needs, leaving no clear plan for the land and jobs of future generations.
Marandi said rehabilitation efforts could not remain limited to present-day requirements alone. He argued that any resettlement framework must account for the next 50 to 100 years, ensuring displaced families’ children are not eventually forced to migrate elsewhere for work.
Meanwhile, he stressed that securing proper rights for displaced residents was a joint responsibility of the state government and the mining company operating the block. According to him, there should be no compromise on education, healthcare or employment facilities promised to affected families.
Marandi has repeatedly clashed with the state government over related issues in recent weeks. He had earlier criticised the administration over a separate confrontation involving students in Giridih district.
The BJP leader also intensified his attacks on the ruling coalition over alleged mishandling of student grievances elsewhere in the state. He had accused the Hemant Soren-led government of failing to protect protesting youths in Giridih.
Land and mining-related disputes have featured prominently in Jharkhand’s political discourse in recent months. The Congress had organised a separate demonstration over a mineral bill that opposition parties argue could further affect local communities dependent on mining-linked land.
The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has also staged its own protests concerning mining legislation. The party recently held demonstrations against changes to mining and mineral laws, framing the issue as one affecting the state’s tribal and rural populations.
On Friday, Marandi said he would take up the villagers’ concerns with the deputy commissioner. He added that the matter would be raised before the state government if local-level intervention failed to resolve the outstanding issues.
