Ranchi: The CPI(M) has announced a decisive movement demanding forest rights titles for landless families living on forest land in Chatra district. At a general body meeting held at Javadobar in Hunterganj block, party members decided to organise a mass march to the Chatra Collectorate.
Addressing the meeting, CPI(M) State Secretary Comrade Prakash Vipulav said that a large number of landless families in the Hunterganj area have been living on forest land for several generations. A significant section of these families belongs to Dalit and other marginalised communities. He stressed the need to intensify the movement to ensure forest rights for these families.
According to the CPI(M), Hunterganj, once affected by extremist violence, is predominantly dependent on agriculture for livelihood. The party alleged that families settled on forest land are being repeatedly harassed by the Forest Department by treating them as encroachers. It alleged that attempts have been made to demolish houses, damage standing crops and file cases against residents, leading to their arrest with police assistance.
The party said it has played an important role in settling landless families in the area. Villages established with the party's involvement have been named after prominent figures of the international communist movement and leading Indian communist leaders, including Marxwadi Nagar, Stalin Nagar, M. Basavapunnaiah Nagar, Pramod Dasgupta Nagar and P. Sundarayya Nagar.
The CPI(M) further said that government-approved schools, Anganwadi centres under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), tap-water facilities and government-built PCC roads have been established in these settlements.
Despite the availability of government facilities, the Forest Department continues to treat residents as illegal occupants, the party alleged. The CPI(M) said it would continue its struggle to protect the rights of people living on forest land, a large number of whom belong to Scheduled Caste communities.
The general body meeting decided to intensify the campaign and organise a mass march to the Chatra Collectorate. Preparations for the march, including mobilisation of local residents and wider public participation, will be taken up in the coming days.
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