The West Bengal government's efforts to commence basalt mining in Deocha-Pachami faced a major setback on due to widespread protests from local villagers over unresolved land disputes. The protests prevented the start of excavation at the proposed Deocha-Pachami coal mine block, which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had confidently announced at the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) just a day earlier. Mamata had touted the project's progress, claiming that work would begin "as early as tomorrow," but the situation on the ground told a different story.
While Mamata was congratulating the locals for contributing to the project’s "beginning," protests erupted as tribal people and landless villagers halted the operation of excavators near Mathurapahari village. Many of the protestors voiced concerns over unresolved compensation issues and the displacement of people who had lived on government plots for years. The protestors made it clear they were not opposed to coal mining but demanded that their land-related grievances be addressed first.
In an attempt to salvage the situation, senior officials, including Birbhum district magistrate Bidhan Ray, visited the site to conduct an emergency meeting. However, their efforts seemed insufficient to calm the angry crowd. The incident led to speculation that the government's failure to start mining as planned could tarnish Mamata’s image, with opposition leaders seizing the opportunity to accuse the ruling party of misinformation.
Opposition parties, including the BJP and the CPM, have criticized the government for lack of transparency and alleged that the Deocha-Pachami project is shrouded in mystery. BJP state general secretary Jagannath Chattopadhyay raised concerns about the absence of Mamata or any senior ministers at the site and questioned whether the necessary environmental clearances had been obtained. CPM leaders also warned of the potential harm to tribal communities, accusing the government of colluding with private interests to forcefully take over tribal lands.
The growing unrest underscores the government’s inability to engage meaningfully with local people and address their concerns. As protests intensify, it remains to be seen whether Mamata’s administration can navigate the rising tide of opposition and ensure a fair resolution to the ongoing land disputes in Deocha-Pachami.Top of FormBottom of Form
