Deocha Pachami locals protest coal project in Kolkata

Residents from the Deocha Pachami area marched through the streets of Kolkata to protest against a coal mining project in West Bengal. The mining work started on February 6, and locals expressed their concerns over potential evictions and environmental damage. Hundreds of villagers, including women and students, joined the protest. They marched from Sealdah Station to Dharmatala, carrying banners with messages like "Cancel Deocha Pachami coal block" and "No eviction, no coal block." Despite promises from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that no land would be forcibly taken and that compensation would be provided, protests continue to grow. Tribal activist Shibu Soren spoke at the rally, stating, "We want industry and development, but we will not allow this coal project to evict locals." He criticized the government’s assurances, claiming they are misleading to the tribal communities. He warned that ongoing mining could lead to conflicts between workers and villagers and harm the local environment and culture. Sushil Murmu, a local tribal leader, raised further concerns about intimidation against those opposing the project. He highlighted the damage to ancient trees and the negative effects on healthcare and education in the community, stating that local facilities are struggling with dust and debris from the mining operations. Activist Saradindu Biswas pointed out that indigenous people's rights to their land are protected by the Constitution. He emphasized the need for local consent before any projects can proceed and called for respect for the Gramsabha, the local governing body that should have a say in such matters.