Itki, Aug. 9: The heavy downpour was no deterrent for the determined villagers who today marched in thousands from Itki to Rani Khatanga Sarna ground to protest against the construction of a dam at the Baski river.

Under the leadership of Adivasi Moolvasi Janadhikar Manch leader Bandhu Tirkey, they pledged to start a revolution against the dam construction.

The Baski dam controversy dates back to 1985, when the Bihar government planned to construct the dam and even sent some officials to survey the site. Things took an ugly turn when the villagers killed an engineer and his guides. As a result, the government decided to shelve the project.

All was fine till the Arjun Munda government decided to revive the project. According to villagers, the proposed dam will displace more than 22 villages in and around the area. Pandu Oraon, a villager who took part in the march to the proposed dam site, said: “The Baski dam will be build over our bodies. We are prepared to shed our blood to prevent the dam from being constructed. Our resistance will be tough and bloody.”

Manch leaders alleged that the government was trying to displace the Adivasis and moolvasis from the state by launching such projects.

Bandhu Tirkey said: “History has shown that a revolution is successful only when the people are united. We will fight for our rights and will go to any length. We are even ready to take up arms. The government should not take us lightly. We will prove that we can go to any extent for our survival.”