The NDA Government introduced earthmover machines for sand extraction from the Sone river. Before the last assembly elections, some contractors who enjoyed the patronage/protection of JD(U), BJP and RJD leaders, had begun using these machines on some of the banks of the Sone. Sharp protest by sand workers caused a slight decrease in the use of these machines. But with the return of the JD(U)-BJP to power, the contractors were emboldened and there was a tremendous increase in the use of machines for sand extraction. On several banks of Bikram, Bihta and Maner blocks of Patna district and Sandesh and Koilvar blocks of Bhojpur districts, nearly 50 earthmover machines were being used for sand extraction. While contractors raked in profits, thousands of workers lost their jobs. The livelihood of several small time tea-stall owners who had set up shops near the sand mines was also affected.

In Bihar, the Nitish Government’s development model seems to be: Make the contractors richer while the workers get poorer! Thousands are forced to migrate in search of jobs, as neither have new factories been set up nor new employment opportunities created. In the name of industry, only the sand mining industry provides livelihood to a substantial number of workers. Now, workers in this sector too are being rendered jobless! Sand workers launched a sustained agitation in protest.

On 8 December 2010, thousands of workers carrying shovels staged a huge demonstration outside the newly constituted legislative assembly. The demonstration ended only when workers received an assurance from the Director of the mining department that the use of machines for sand extraction would be banned through a law on the lines of the NREGA clause that makes manual labour mandatory. But the next day, the order issued by the Director read, “If workers are available, machines should not be used,” leaving a loophole wide open.

Workers warned district administrations that if the use of earthmovers for sand extraction was not stopped by 19 December 2010, they would storm the sand shores. Accordingly on 20 December 2010, around 400 workers gathered at the Kauriya shore. Equipped with shovels and the party flag, they staged a militant demonstration against the earthmovers and the contractors. Seeing their militancy, drivers fled the shores with the machines. When one contractor defiantly continued using the machine, it was destroyed by the workers. A hut belonging to one of the contractors was burnt by the workers and the sand extraction work came to a stop. Two workers were also injured in the struggle. At the Mehsuniya, Suraundha, and Amanabad shores, similar scenes were played out and sand extraction stopped. By the time the workers reached Amanabad their numbers had swelled to 1500. From there they returned to Parev where they held a mass meeting. On 21 December the workers succeeded in stopping the machines, and workers were once again employed for sand extraction.

Despite the assurances by the directorate, Nitish Kumar’s mining and geology department adopted dilly-dallying tactics like asking for Bhojpur DM’s opinions. The government’s intention was to drag out the movement and tire out the workers.

Protest rallies were organized on 25 December at Amanabad, Bendol and Pairav. Soon after, with the objective of developing the party among the sand workers, a party organizer was assigned for Maner Diyara. Twenty five new members were recruited and a party team was also set up in Parev.

On 12 January 2011, the sand workers once against gathered on the shores demanding a stop to sand extraction and loading by JCB machines. Thousands of workers gathered to march along the 8km stretch from the shores of Bihta to Maner. The information regarding the programme had been sent to the mining minister and district officials. This time the contractors had already removed the earthmover machines and did not seek a clash. A mass meeting was organized at Chaursai shore where nearly 2500 workers participated, addressed by party leaders and sand workers. They announced that if extraction and loading by machines did not stop, all the roads leading to the shores would be blockaded. They also appealed to truck owners not to bring trucks to such shores.

This was perhaps the first gathering by the party in Maner Diyara. Following this, several battles against JCB-Poklen earthmover machines were fought. On 16 January 2011, the workers marched to the Bindol shore and had the machines removed. On 17 January, an intense fight took place between the contractors and the villagers when digging by the earthmovers caused the village road to be blocked. The government and the administration shamelessly sided with the contractors.

Earlier on 3 January 2011, on a TV show, Bihar’s mining and geology minister, S N Arya asked for a week’s time from our party representative, and also appealed to us to postpone the movement called on 6 January. The party agreed to the request to postpone the protest, but when they submitted a charter of struggle to the Mining and Labour ministries, the mining minister expressed his helplessness in stopping the use of JCB machines or taking action against the sand mafia. This mafia had worked for the JD (U) and the BJP during the elections and has a strong hold over the government.

On 28 February 2011, nearly 1500 sand workers blocked the Koilvar bridge in spite of the 100-plus police force, commandos and platoons. They demanded that the Government stop defending contractors and sand mafia and implement the agreement. The Koilvar bridge, also called the lifeline of Patna, was blockaded for two hours, forcing the administration to capitulate. The SHO of Bihta expressed regret and a written agreement was signed.

Under the pressure of the movement, the administrations ordered immediate removal of JCB and Poklen machines from all the shores. The written assurance also states that the legal action would be taken against those guilty of violation.

In the rally, the names of the sand worker leaders who would contest the panchayat elections from the party were also announced. Earlier, prior to the blockade, an 18 km march on foot had been organized on 25 February from Maner to Parev, against use of earthmover machines, skyrocketing inflation and corruption.

An interim agreement was reached on 29 January 2011 till the time a policy decision was taken by the government. In its written copy, however, the administration tried to justify the use of earthmovers, but conceded the need to ensure work for all the workers. It was broadly agreed that the workers would work during the day and the machines would be run at night. It was mentioned that the workers would be given work till they wanted it, and the machines would be used after they left. However it also added in the agreement that the workers would have to inform everyday who will load how many trucks. Once this stated number of trucks were loaded, machines would be used. Our representatives registered protest against this on receiving the copy of the written agreement.

However, the sand-mafia and the contractors who had the protection of both the Nitish government as well as the local RJD MLA Bhai Virendra, began the use of machines in violation of the agreement from the very next day. On 9 February, the rage of the angered workers was unleashed on the shore of Koilvar. Contractors were beaten up. The inspectors supported the contractors by directing that the trucks be sent to the shores where work was being done by machines rather than workers. The workers gheraoed the station for three hours and demanded the removal of the thanedar. The same day he was transferred after party leaders met the DCP.

On 18 February, 1000 workers demonstrated in front of the Koilvar block office. On 21 February again, talks were held but neither the attitude of the contractors nor the role of the administration changed. A padyatra was planned. In this movement, the sand workers have received the support of the local shop keepers, common people and a large number of peasants. Not only is sand being taken out of nearly 1000 acres of land, but also from the agricultural land of peasants near the river who are being given nothing in return.

The media has been claiming that the state’s revenues are suffering losses due to the agitation. The truth however is otherwise. All the shores of Bhojpur, Patna and Chapra districts have been given out on rent for sand extraction to sand mafia for only 53 crores, whereas calculations reveal that in these three districts, sand worth Rs 7 billion is sold every year from the shores of Sone river alone. There are several small rivers in these districts and if the estimate of entire sand is made, it would be much higher. The contractor-mafia want to use the machines so that maximum sand could be taken out and sold. The government is auctioning the shores of all the rivers in Bihar like this which will result in huge losses for the state revenue. Like 2G spectrum, this is also an auctioning scam worth millions.

In the next phase of the movement, the party has decided to visit all the shores of the Sone river and stage a demonstration outside the state assembly. Our demand is that sand mining be treated as an employment generating area and a law like NREGA be formed which would impose a complete ban on the use of machines.

The sand workers are a new segment of the rural poor amongst whom our party is active. In order to integrate this new section into the party we will have to find new ways of working and expand our work sphere. Till now 175 members have been recruited to the party from among the sand workers and party branches have been set up on 7 shores. A leadership group has also been organized for the shores of the Sone river in Patna district where the movement is on. At present, the movement is being led by the leadership of the party committee however soon a plan is being made to establish a union of sand workers.