Thousands of villagers, women and members of the affected Dalit and Extremely Backward families gathered at the historic playground in Ghosi, Jehanabad (Bihar) on July 20 for a massive Resistance Rally organised by the CPI(ML) against the July 4 armed attack by the sand mafia in Chaiti Pipar village. The rally strongly condemned the BJP government's protection to the sand mafia and demanded justice for the victims, withdrawal of false cases against innocent villagers and action against the police-mafia nexus.
Addressing the rally, CPI(ML) Polit Bureau member Dhirendra Jha said that despite the legal ban on sand mining in the Falgu river, illegal mining continues under the protection of officials of the Ghosi and Hulasganj police stations. He said the attack took place after Vijay Ram attempted to collect a small quantity of sand from the river to construct a toilet for his family. Instead of protecting poor villagers, the administration has allowed the sand mafia to terrorise them. He also demanded a guarantee of security for the people of Chaiti Pipar, who continue to live under fear.
Former Arwal MLA Mahanand Singh paid tribute to the courage of the women of Chaiti Pipar, who resisted the armed attackers and helped capture the main accused, Vishnu Don. He alleged that the BJP government is now trying to falsely implicate innocent villagers Ajay Ram and Vijay Ram in the Dheeraj Sharma case. He also criticised the local BJP MLA for expressing sympathy towards the accused while keeping away from the affected Dalit settlement.
Former Ghosi MLA Rambali Singh Yadav said the struggle at Chaiti Pipar is not merely over a few sacks of sand but over the rights of the poor to natural resources, their dignity and their livelihood. He reiterated that CPI(ML) would continue its struggle until justice is delivered and those responsible for the attack are punished.
Victims Renu Devi and Reshmi Devi also addressed the gathering and said that the atmosphere of fear continues in the village, with threats being issued to force the affected families to withdraw the case. They declared that they would continue their fight for justice.
The rally demanded the immediate withdrawal of false cases against innocent villagers, suspension and legal action against police officials accused of protecting the sand mafia, speedy trial and strict punishment for Vishnu Don and his associates, free treatment, compensation and security for the affected families, and immediate construction of toilets and installation of hand pumps in the Mahadalit and Extremely Backward settlement.
The rally warned that if the false cases are not withdrawn and the administration fails to act against the sand mafia within one week, CPI(ML) will launch a massive gherao of the Jehanabad district headquarters.
