Report from Odisha
Mass Protest Demonstration in Puri against
anti-people and anti-environment Shamuka Hotel project
Capitalist industrialization has led to a surge in
global temperatures and natural disasters, where
unexpected cyclones, floods and droughts have
increased throughout the world. This has made
coastal Odisha prone to cyclones, with a major
cyclone every couple of years inflicting heavy
damage on life and property. The Fani cyclone that
struck on May 3 rd this year led to much devastation
in Puri district. Coastal forests that slowed down the
cyclones got destroyed.
It is important to note that all government
Committee reports say that it is only coastal forests
that can slow down cyclones. Yet, the Odisha
government, instead of creating more coastal
forests, is planning to destroy even the existing ones
for projects like Shamuka Resort and coastal high
ways. These projects if implemented will destroy all
the coastal forests and will result in more cyclone
devastations from cyclones in the region. Since last
10 years Upakulia Jami-o’ Jangal Suraksha Samiti (
UJJSS ) has been fighting for the protection of
coastal forests. The casuarinas jungles and sand
dumes of Sipasarubali are being vigilantly guarded
by the people of 20 villages. Became of which they
have had to face the brunt of govt. and land mafia,
who have been unsuccessfully trying to break this
movement. On 19 th Aug 2019 Manoj Bhoi, a leading
activist of UJJSS, was attacked. The Puri police have
also filed a false case against UJJSS Convener
Batakrishna Swain to weaken the movement. Earlier
many such cases were filed against the activists and
leaders of the movement. In spite of all this, UJJSS
has been fighting to protect the coastal land, forests
and sand dumes. It held a massive rally and protest
demonstration on 17 th oct’2019 and submitted the
following demands to the Odisha Government and
Puri District Collector. The rally and demonstration
was participated by a large number of women and
people of all ages with banners and placards and
the people’s demands reverberated all along the
way.
• Immediately arrest those who attacked Manoj
Bhoi and who threaten and beat our people;
• Withdraw the false cases against Batakrishna
Swain and other activists. (FIR No 177/19 )
• Stop Shamuka Beach project. Create more
coastal forests with the help of local residents
and give them rights over land and forests.
• Since Odisha coasts are more susceptible to
cyclones, provide all families with concrete
houses;
• Immediately arrest those engaged in illegal sand
mining in the coast and nab their trucks and
dozers.
Report from Jharkand
Joint Convention on Democratic Struggle
Against Corporate Fascist Attacks
Fourteen Organizations held a Joint
Convention on the need of democratic struggle
against the growing the Corporate fascist attacks
on people on Sept 22, 2019 at Ranchi in Jharkhand.
About 150 delegates representing these
Organizations have actively participated in the
deliberations of the Convention. The Organizations
are: CPI(ML)PCC; CPI(ML)RS; CPI(ML)ND; CPI(ML);
Hool Jharkhand Kranti Dal; Jharkhand Kranti Dal;
Jan Sangharsh Morcha; Nav Janvadi Lok Manch;
Visthapan Virodhi Jan Andolan, Jharkhand;
Jharkhand Jan Tantrik Morcha; Jan Sangharsh Samiti
(Latehar – Gumla); SUCI(C); Revolutionary Youth
Federation of India and Jan Mukti Sangharsh Vahini.
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The Convention had an extensive discussion
on the anti-Constitutional onslaught on Kashmir
people; the Amendments to UAPA; R.T.I; NRC and
the draft Forest Act, 2019. The speakers criticized
the slogans like one symbol, one policy, one religion,
one culture and one party as authoritarian – fascist
in nature. The abrogation of Article 370 and 35 – A
is only a step towards pushing this policy into vogue.
Now, in Jharkhand, the CNT – SPT Acts are also a
target of attack. The common people in different parts
of our country who are assured of some special
rights, most likely, are going to come under this attack
contd. on page 16
Class Struggle