JAN HAKK YATRA reaches Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi District of Orissa

01.03.08
The Jan Hakk Yatra reached Bhawanipatna on 1st of March from Koraput. A meeting was convened at Sagada covering all the villages of Sagada GP of Bhawanipatna. The population of this GP is affected by the decision taken by the Govt to declare the Karlapat forest area as Sanctuary. This decision is now affecting the livelihood of the poor villagers. A youth team started the programme by singing revolutionary songs. Mr Saroj of JKS introduced the jatra team and invitees to the villagers. Mr Khageswar Manhira brifed the participants on the objectives of the Jan Hakk Yatra and how the jatra visited other states. Mr Sidharth of Niyamagiri Surakhya Samiti applauded the initiative taken by Nafre. He said the call of the day is to unite all the people struggles and develop a sense of fraternity among them. So that they can help each other. Then Mr Bharat Bhusan Thakur put the local focal issues before the villagers. He said once the area is declared sanctuary then it will be very difficult for the forest dwellers to survive as no livelihood option will be left out. The law will restrict them from collecting NTFPs and fire wood from the forests. He further said from years animals and humans are living together in forest without damaging the ecology. But the govt is only thinking of the animals living in the forest not of the villagers. Mr Birendra and Mr Manish of Bihar Lok Adhikar Manch shared their movements continuing in Bihar. Mr Jerom of CREJ Jan Mukti Andolan, Jharkhand shared about the Netrahat movement of Jharkhand and appealed the villagers to join hand with Nafre Jan Andolan to build a larger movement in the nation. Mr Sushanto Chakraborty of VCRO said the noble initiative taken by Nafre should not be let wasted. He said how the imperialistic and fascist forces in the guise of big industrialists and a part of the governance system playing with the fate of the poor people. So being united we should make them clear that “NA JAMIN DENGE NA DENGE JAN” . This is only possible we feel the issue and spread awareness among the people those who are affected and going to be affected.
The Local people shared their problem and assured the Yatra team of all kind of support. Then the cultural team performed on issues that are affecting the poor tribals. They performed on the issue of forest, sanctuary, CSS and globalization which was immensely appreciated by the villagers.

The Yatra team returned to the base camp for night stay.
02.03.08
The next morning the yatra team marched towards another sensitive area for its next destination. It is Lanjigarh of Kalahandi district where Vedanta company is establishing an aluminum factory by displacing thousands of villagers. When the yatra team reached the area it was quite tense. The people of the rehabilitation colony were staging agitation before the company and had blocked the roads. They were protesting against the heavy electricity bills slapped on them by the company. The company earlier promised to pay the electricity bills but when the villagers left their land and stay in the rehabilitation colony the company played tricks by slapping the electricity bills. Many platoons of police fore were deployed in the area. The police stopped the yatra vehicle and queried about the purpose of the visit. They let the vehicle go to the meetings place. The local People organization Niyamagiri Suraksha Samiti arranged the meeting and welcomed the Nafre Jan Hakk Yatra. Local villagers actively participated in the meeting. Mr Khageswar briefed the objective of the Jatra. Mr B.B. Thakur NEC member of Nafre and Mr Siddharth put some light on the current situation of the country and how the system has become a part of the capitalists. Mr Thaur also commended the effort taken by Niyamagri Suraksha Samiti and promised all kind of support from Nafre Jan Andolan and VCRO. Mr. Manish, Mr. Birendra of Bihar Lok Adhikar manch & Mr. Jerorn of CREJ Jan Mukti Andolan also addressed the meeting. Mr Kumti Majhi the president of Niyamagri Suraksha Samiti presided the meeting and thanked Nafre from bring the Jatra to this highly sensitive area. The meeting was surrounded by the policemen as they were dogging the event.

The yatra team returned to Bhawanipatna for Night stay.
03.03.08
Nafre Jan Hakk Yatra proceeded towards Boden of Nuapada district. Several issues like displacement, florosis and migration are prominent in the area. People from lower Indra dam displacement area, Sunabeda Santuary area, Jamin Jungle Mukti andolan, Tikhali Dam Bistapith Andolan participated in the metting. So all the issues were discussed vividly. Basically local people addressed the meeting on their issues.Mr Birandra of BLAM, Bihar and and Mr Jeron of CREJ, Jharkand discussed the issues of their respective states. Mr Khuturam Sunani, a social activists linked all the issues and urged the people to join hands together to strengthen Nafre People Movement. Then the cultural team performed and spread the message of Nafre Jan Hakk yatra and how the companies exploiting the poors.