Newz Desk, Durgapur: Tension prevailed in Raniganj on Tuesday as hundreds of tribal men, women and youths gathered in the Panjabi More area to press for a seven-point charter of demands. The protesters announced plans to march along the National Highway towards the office of the District Collector in Asansol.
In view of the proposed procession and the possibility of disruption to traffic, the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate deployed a large police contingent and cordoned off several areas with barricades. Water cannons were also kept ready as part of the security arrangements.
The tribal organisations have raised several demands concerning education, employment, land rights and rehabilitation. Among their key demands is the immediate appointment of staff to 12 permanent posts at the hostel of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Residential School. The protesters have also demanded the immediate restoration of the feeder grant for Kanksa PRMMS English Medium School, which they allege has remained discontinued since 2017.
Another major demand relates to land rights and rehabilitation in connection with the proposed expansion of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL). The protesters have demanded that tribal landholders be provided with proper land pattas before any expansion work is undertaken along the National Highway. They have also sought an appropriate rehabilitation package for affected families.
The administration has reportedly proposed that buses carrying the protesters be escorted by the police and taken to their designated destination in order to prevent disruption on the National Highway. However, the tribal organisation has not accepted the proposal so far.
Instead, the protesters have continued their march on foot towards the District Collector’s office along the National Highway.
With a large gathering of protesters and heavy police deployment in the area, tension has risen in Raniganj. The police administration remains on high alert and has strengthened security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident and maintain law and order.
The situation is being closely monitored by the police, while efforts are reportedly underway to engage with the protesters and find a peaceful solution to the standoff.
