India: Tribal Women in Jharkhand and Adivasi Moolvasi Astitva Raksha Manch Won the Battle Opposing Resource Exploiters
Since June 2006 tribal women in Jharkhand have decided to oppose people usurping their water, forest and land (the 3 Js: jal, jungle and jameen). The Jharkhand tribal body Adivasi Moolvasi Astitva Raksha Manch will go on opposing these exploiters, explains Ms Dayamani Barla, journalist and chief convener of the Manch and one of the women's leaders.
Many times the steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal expressed disappointment over delay in his proposed steel projects in the country. The Adivasi Moolvasi Astitva Raksha Manch actively advocates the plight of Adivasis and fights against land grabbing. Dayamani Barla said it would continue to oppose Mittal's project in Jharkhand, the ArcelorMittal project.
"We will not allow any new steel company in Jharkhand. They (industrialists) are out to destroy forest and fertility of agricultural land. Forty villages in Gumla and Khunti districts will be affected by the ArcelorMittalproject" Barla said.
On July 29 Lakshmi Mittal said: "Don't see things progressing in India, no plan to invest there".
Apparently the women's movement has won the battle, at leats for the time being.
More on the news
UCAN: Indian tribal women launch movement against resource ‘exploiters’ 6/16/2006
Jharkhand tribal body to oppose ArcelorMittal project PTI Jul 5, 2012, 02.52PM IST
NRI billionaire and ArcelorMittal chief Lakshmi Mittal once again criticized the decision making in India PTI | Jul 29, 2012, 10.10PM IST