Dialogue thread, Jadugoda. The displaced people of Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL)'s Narvapahad Uranium Project in Jaduguda started an indefinite agitation from 6 am on Monday. The displaced people blocked the mine gate by barricading the main road leading to the plant with chairs. This has created a strike-like situation in the company. Daily uranium production is beginning to be affected.
Talks between the agitators and the management failed on Monday night. In this meeting organized under the chairmanship of Potka BDO, the management refused to accept the demands of the displaced people. After the meeting, displaced leader Bahadur Kisku said that his agitation will continue till the decision is taken. The meeting was attended by Executive Director MK Singhai, Deputy General Manager Rakesh Kumar, General Manager of Jadugora Group of Mines Manoranjan Mahali, D Hansda, Girish Gupta.
The agitators are demanding that as per the agreements made in 2014 and 2023, jobs should be provided to generations, dependents of deceased employees should be employed, displaced families should be trained and reinstated in the company. Bahadur Kisku, who was leading, said that from the attitude of the company it seemed that the movement would continue for a long time. Warned that this time the displaced families will fight tooth and nail for their rights.
Displaced rich man Ram Kisku said that the company is going back on the promises made since 2014. Reinstatement of sons of retired employees in place of them and provision of employment to the dependents of employees who died while on duty should have been as per the agreement, but the management is continuously procrastinating. Chaitanya Murmu said that in one year, written consent was given on employment of eight people, which the company is not fulfilling and is filling the space through outsourcing. He said that there is also a warning to permanently close the Narvapahar Uranium Project if the agreement is not implemented.
Displaced Somay Hansda said that he would participate only in the meeting chaired by UCIL President Kanchan Anand Rao. Many times in the past the date of the meeting was fixed, but the management backed out from the talks. Former head of the area Malti Hansda made it clear that the movement will continue until the demands are met. He further said that the company will have to restore the displaced families by training them, otherwise it has been warned to close the mines permanently and return the land.
This movement also has the support of contract workers. The displaced people say that this struggle is only to get their rights and their resolve is unwavering. They are ready to continue the fight for their rights despite the impact on the operation of the Narvapahar Project and disruption in production.
The displaced people have also made it clear that they will not retreat without any kind of agreement. Pressure on the company administration has increased due to mines gate jam and indefinite strike. Local people are also sympathetic to the movement, because non-fulfillment of long-standing promises and ignoring the rights of the displaced have increased the resentment.
Contract workers will also start strike from Tuesday
On the other hand, JMM convenor chief Baghrai Mardi has also announced to start a strike in UCIL's Jadugora unit from Tuesday regarding seven-point demands. Contract employees will participate in this strike. The contract employees have many demands, including the amount of earned leave, which the management is not fulfilling.
There will be opposition to no work no pay notice in the company: Madan Das
On the other hand, UCIL employee Madan Das said that due to the agitation the employees are not able to enter the office. The agitators are creating obstruction. In such a situation, if the company issues a notice of no work no pay to the employees, then it will be opposed.