A rally and protest meeting was held in Jarangdih against the closure of the underground mines of the CCL Bermo coal belt. Addressing the meeting Ajay Ravidas, Baleshwar Gope and other speakers said that the Management’s directive to close the mines is not lawful and discussions with unions should have been held before making such an announcement. They stressed the need to address basic problems the mine workers such as repair of derelict quarters, shortage of water and low voltage. If these problems are not addressed the Coal Mine Workers Union would be forced to organize serial agitations. A 14-point charter of demands was submitted to the Project officials.
