JVM to start agitation over problem of displaced people

The Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantric-JVM) has expressed dismay at the indifference of the state government and the Centre in redressing problems of the displaced people even after acquisition of their land several decades ago.

JVM's president Babulal Marandi said party activists would launch a statewide campaign against the government apathy towards solving the problems faced by 30 lakh people displaced on account of various development activities like setting up of factories and dams.

As part of the agitation, they would gherao the state secretariat on September 3, the former Jharkhand chief minister said.

Criticising the Arjun Munda government for "cold shouldering" the plight of the displaced people - an issue which has triggered widespread protests across the state, he claimed, "When land was acquired, the displaced were promised jobs. Neither did they get jobs, nor there has been any proper industrial development."

"The governments had taken land for 'peanuts' from the people and sold it on a higher price tag to industrialists," he told reporters last Saturday.

He accused the Arjun Munda-led coalition government of resisting devolution of power to the three-tier panchayat bodies.