‘Tamnar row a result of govt’s anti-tribal policy’

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Deepak Baij on Monday attacked the Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP government, terming the recent violence in Tamnar a direct consequence of "anti-village, anti-poor, and anti-tribal" policies. Addressing a press conference at the party's state headquarters, Rajiv Bhavan, in Raipur, Baij alleged that the state administration is acting as an agent for private interests.The dispute centres on the Gare Pelma Sector-1 open-cast coal mine in Raigad, allocated to a private company. Residents from 14 affected villages have been protesting since Dec 5, refusing to part with ancestral lands and forests. They fear coal mining will destroy local agriculture and the environment, Baij, who had visited to meet the affected villagers of Tamnar on Monday, said.Baij claimed the administration conducted a "fictional" public hearing on Dec 8 despite widespread local opposition. "The administration sidelined genuine residents and gathered 15-20 contract workers of the company to stage a fake hearing. Their sole objective was to obtain forced consent," the PCC chief said.The situation turned volatile on Dec 27 when the administration moved to disperse peaceful protesters in Libra village. Baij, who visited the site on Dec 19 to extend support, stated that the police used batons and tear gas to crush the movement."Around 50-60 protesters were detained. People were dragged away as the government resorted to cruelty to suppress public dissent," Baij said. The Congress leader questioned the absence of government representatives during the weeks-long sit-in. "Villagers were on dharna since 5 Dec. Why did the Collector or SP not meet them to resolve the deadlock through dialogue? " he said.