SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Feb 18: Centre’s Opposition parties led by Sindri CPI-ML MLA Chandradev Mahto, staged a dharna in front of the Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited (FCIL) Sindri, protesting the decision to lease FCIL quarters to the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
The political leaders leading the protest issued a strong warning to the central government and FCIL management, threatening a large-scale agitation if the lease decision is not reversed. They demanded that the quarters be leased to the residents currently occupying them instead.
While addressing the protesters, Sindri MLA Chandradev Mahto stated that if the FCIL management does not withdraw its order, the issue would be raised in both the Jharkhand Assembly and Parliament.
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Following the dharna, a five-member delegation met FCIL Estate Officer Devdas Adhikari and submitted an 8-point demand to him.
FCIL Sindri, which ceased operations in December 2002, owns over 1,200 quarters in the Domgarh area of Sindri Township. Of these, 100 are legally occupied, while the remaining 1,100 are occupied illegally. The FCIL management has leased these quarters to SAIL.
In addition to MLA Chandradev Mahto, other prominent leaders who participated in the dharna include former MCC MLA Anand Mahto, Congress District President Santosh Singh, Rashtriya Colliery Mazdoor Union General Secretary A.K. Jha, CPI-ML District Secretary Kartik Prasad, CPI leader Kali Sen Gupta, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Suresh Raut, JMM leader Swapan Banerjee, and several other political figures including Ajay Kumar, Ashok Kumar Mahto, Vikash Kumar Thakur, Sanjay Ray, Dilip Mishra Rajiv Mukherjee, Ranu Mandal.
