People's Democracy

Tribals Clamp Down on

China Clay Mining

Ch Narasinga Rao

MOST of the precious mineral deposits in the country are found in the tribal inhabited areas of the country and same is the case with Andhra Pradesh also.  The rich and corporate are eyeing these resources for their aggrandisement. The governments, which are usually lame duck as far as working for people’s interests is concerned, are displaying rare efficiency to hand over these valuable assets to private players.

There is severe opposition to the mining of bauxite reserves in the agency areas of Vishakapatnam. Even as this opposition was continuing, attempts to lease out mining china clay in Dubriguda mandal has sparked off serious agitation. China clay is used in cosmetics and is valuable.

The public hearing for leasing out 16 hectares of land in Sarai panchayat area was scheduled on May 10 and amidst serious protest led by A P Girijana Sangham, it could not take place (see report in previous issue). The authorities announced temporary postponement of the hearing.

Not only seeking permanent cancellation of the hearing, the tribals wanted cancellation of similar illegal leases. On these demands, there was a huge protest rally in front of the district collectorate in Vishakapatnam on May 16. Thousands of tribals, donning their traditional weapons, marched to the collectorate and sat in dharna. The district collector was forced to announce permanent cancellation of the public hearing for mining of china clay. This is the first time that a public hearing has been cancelled after announcing it. This lease was given to a fictitious tribal woman from West Godavari district. Public hearing for ten more such benami leases is being readied. One example is in Nimmalapadu area where the lease for the peri clay mining is still changing hands among benamis. Why is the state government not able to curb such benami leases? Why is it not even cross checking the addresses being mentioned by the leaseholders? Because it wants to deceitfully favour the private parties.

As per PanchayatiRaj Extension to Scheduled Areas Act (PESA), not a cent of land can be taken for any purpose without the approval of Grama Sabha (village council) through public hearings. The Mandal level officer has to then give a no objection certificate. But the Congress state government is granting leases without doing all this by simply issuing a certificate as per Government Order No. 180. Although technically, the leases are in the name of tribals, in actuality it is the non-tribals who execute the leases. Even as per the 1/70 Act, no lease or sale to private individuals or corporates in agency areas is valid. If leases are granted to such entities, they are illegal. But the state government which has to protect the interests of tribals is itself atrociously encouraging benami leases.

It is in this context that the tribals of the area have started a big agitation against mining of china clay. After getting to know through newspapers about the public hearing on May 10, the tribals immediately conducted grama sabhas and formed struggle committees. After discussions in the committees, they chalked out a struggle plan. They first informed the district administration not to hold the public hearing. They also conducted rasta rokos  twice in the madal headquarters Dubriguda. With the administration not relenting, the villagers decided to obstruct the public hearing. They reached the place early on May 10th morning and obstructed the road to Sarai village by felling trees. Seeing the anger of the tribals, the administration announced postponement of the public hearing. The tribals were holding a meeting in Kondrum after this announcement when the Mandal president and local TDP MLA came to address them. Both these leaders had canvassed for mining of china clay citing development of the area. The angry tribals revolted against them and chased them away from the meeting. In continuation of their agitation, the tribals participated in huge numbers in the Maha dharna at Vishakapatnam collectorate, forcing the collector to announce permanent cancellation of the public hearing. AP Girijana Sangham state president and former CPI(M) MP Dr M Babu Rao and CPI(M) Vishakapatnam district secretary Ch Narsinga Rao addressed the Maha dharna.

This is a victory of the tribals. The CPI(M) Vishakapatnam district committee has fully supported this struggle.