Under the pressure created by the 100-day movement led by the All India Kisan Mahasabha Bagjala Committee, the district administration has finally begun fulfilling its promise. On December 3, the Public Works Department started road construction work in Bagjala village.
CPI ML district secretary Dr Kailash Pandey said that after a long and determined struggle by the people of Bagjala this is the first step towards victory. The villagers have fought and won with unity and organisation. If they continue to fight, they will continue to win. The road construction work has begun only because of the power of the struggle. The people will secure land ownership rights also through unity and struggle.
He demanded that the Chief Minister should announce the formation of a revenue village for Bagjala on the lines of Damuadhunga so that villagers can get ownership rights over land. He also demanded that the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme of the central government must be activated in the area to resolve the drinking water crisis. People already living in Bagjala must be allowed to construct rooms, toilets and kitchens. If these demands are not met, villagers will be left with no option except to launch another round of struggle.
The protest in Bagjala, is based on an eight-point charter of demands:
1. Cancel all notices served to villagers under the pretext of encroachment removal.
2. Lift restrictions on construction works.
3. Repair damaged roads and construct pucca roads in place of kutcha roads.
4. Immediately resume the Jal Jeevan Mission’s Har Ghar Nal, Har Ghar Jal scheme.
5. Restore the right of Bagjala residents to participate in panchayat elections and include them in the voter list.
6. Pass a proposal in the assembly to grant ownership rights to Bagjala residents on existing possession and declare it a revenue village without delay.
7. Ensure government purchase of cattle at fixed prices under the Cow Protection Act to stop losses faced by farmers, cattle rearers and commuters.
8. Grant ownership rights to all residents of forest and nazul land in Nainital district, including Bagjala.
