Jamshedpur, March 9: Activists of Visthapan Virodhi Ekta Manch, an outfit that has taken up cudgels for the displaced, staged a demonstration in front of the Potka block office to protest the arrest of Kumar Chandra Mardi, a key functionary.

Mardi, who is the convenor of the manch, was arrested on February 23 for his alleged involvement in an attack on some officials of Bhushan Power & Steel Limited in August 2008. In this connection, Potka police had registered a case of manhandling against a group of villagers, but later added Section 307, meaning attempted murder, against Mardi and four of his associates.

Today, about 500 villagers assembled in front of the block office at 10am and continued to demonstrate till 4pm. They demanded Mardi’s immediate release.

Later, the protesters handed a four-point charter of demands to Potka circle officer. They want scraping of MoUs with companies like Bhushan Power & Steel Limited and Jindal Steel, improvement of irrigation facilities and prevention of violation of CNT Act in Fifth Scheduled areas.

Arvind Anjum of the manch said the state government ignored complaints filed by the people, especially tribals, while allowing private companies to set up steel plants on agricultural land.

“When the villagers are protesting not to part with the farm land for setting up steel plant, the government should take it seriously. Instead of allowing the management of private companies to acquire agricultural land, they should be asked to set their plant on baren land only,” said Anjuman. He said if the government would turn a deaf ear to the problems of the villagers, then the organisation like VVEM will swing into action and ensure that no steel plant is set up on the agricultural land.

It was decided in the meeting that a massive state level rally will be organised at Ranchi on April 11, when the VVEM and other like-minded organisations will lodge their protest against the unpopular policies of the state and Central government.