The Satyagraha hunger strike by the ‘Chas-Baas-Jeevan Bachao-Baghmati Sangharsh Morcha’ in Benibad, Muzaffarpur against the Baghmati dam project concluded on its 9th day on 15 February 2017 with CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, AIARLA National President Rameshwar Prasad, AIARLA General Secretary Dhirendra Jha and AIPWA General Secretary Meena Tiwari offering juice to those sitting on the hunger strike. Four women—District Councillor Vijnesh Yadav, Sarpanch Kanchan Kumari, social activist Neelu Singh, Deputy Sarpanch Radha Devi—along with social activists Ramlochan Singh, Dinesh Sahni, and former Sarpanch Jagannath Paswan had sat on the Satyagraha hunger strike. Addressing the Satyagraha meeting, Com Dipankar said that the Nitish and Modi governments are bent upon forcibly slapping devastating projects on the people. In spite of strong opposition, the government pays no heed to the interest of the people but instead gives free license for loot by companies and contractors. However, under pressure from the agitation the government and the administration have been forced to agree for talks, and this is a victory for the struggle. Com Dipankar saluted the hunger strikers who had been sitting on the 9-day fast and assured the people that the CPI(ML) would put in every ounce of strength to strengthen the agitation against the destructive Baghmati dam project and would stand in solidarity with the people. Morcha convener Jitendra Yadav announced that the movement against the Baghmati dam project would be further strengthened and all-round protests would be held against the Central and Bihar governments to demand the constitution of a review committee and put a stop to the destructive Baghmati dam project.
