The CPI(ML) Sangharsh Yatra in protest against the amendments to the CNT-SPT Act and to demand ownership rights to gair-majrua and forest lands, was held from Ulihatu to Ranchi in front of the Raj Bhavan on 8 February 2017. The Yatra witnessed participation by thousands of people including adivasis, Sadans (non-adivasi original Jharkhnandis), and urban poor. A 7-point charter of demands with 50,000 signatures was submitted to the Governor.
The Sangharsh Sabha held in front of the Raj Bhavan began with tributes and a 2-minute silence for late Com Srilata Swaminathan and the martyrs of Bundu, Gola and Badkagaon police firings. The meeting was addressed by former MLA Vinod Singh and other leaders. The speakers said that the BJP government in the State has perpetrated the most of attacks on adivasis and their land, Tapkara, Koyalkara, Khunti, and Bokaro incidents being some examples. The CNT-SPT Act has been secured after long struggles like the Santhal agitation and the Birsa Ulgulan, and we will not allow the Raghubar government to snatch away the Jal-Jangal-Jameen (water, land, and forests) of Jharkhand and hand them to corporate houses. TBy denying receipts to “dakhalkars” (occupants) of gair-majarua land and forest lands, the government is snatching away their ownership rights.
