Wednesday, November 9, 2016

ML Update | No. 46 | 2016

ML Update

A CPI(ML) Weekly News Magazine

Vol.19 | No. 46 | 8-14 November 2016

India Will Not Brook another Emergency

At the Ramnath Goenka journalism award function Narendra Modi tried to project himself as a champion of media freedom when he said no future leader in India would ever be allowed to impose another Emergency. Ironically enough, this grand proclamation was soon followed up by the announcement of a one-day ban on the NDTV Hindi channel 'NDTV India'. The channel was accused of leaking out 'strategically sensitive' information while covering the anti-terrorist operation in the wake of the Pathankot airbase attack, and the ban was announced as a punitive measure to enforce media discipline in matters of 'national security'. In the words of I&B Minister Venkaiah Naidu, the interests of the nation must take precedence over the freedom of the press.

The excuse dished out by the government to punish one of the most credible Hindi channels known for its critical coverage of contentious social, cultural, economic and political subjects did not obviously hold water for anybody except perhaps the most die-hard supporters of the Sangh parivar. The concerned information was all in the public domain and almost all channels aired similar footage while reporting from the site and covering the operation. It was quite obvious that the real reason lay elsewhere – the NDTV India coverage of Sanghi thuggery on various pretexts and the growing protests against this assault on democracy has been an eyesore for the thought police of the Sangh brigade.

But as has happened with many recent cases of Sanghi offensive, the NDTV ban has also backfired, evoking considerable public opposition and significant protests within the media forcing the government on the backfoot. The case has now gone to the Supreme Court, but meanwhile as a face-saving arrangement, Naidu ensured a meeting with Prannoy Roy before announcing that the ban has been put on hold till the 'representation' made by NDTV is duly 'examined'. It is of course a limited and temporary 'respite' in a specific case, but nonetheless a significant victory that will inspire every defender of democracy in the ongoing resistance. We must of course remember that there are many other cases of attacks on the media – the ban on the Kashmir Reader, a Srinagar-based English daily, that has been in force since 2 October and continuing attacks on journalists in Bastar for example – that have not attracted as much attention and generated as much protest and solidarity as the NDTV case. There can be no selective defence of media freedom and the battle must be waged consistently.

Ever since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, we have seen the government's desperation to control the cultural and intellectual discourse in the country and systematically subvert the freedom of expression and stop the flow of critical ideas. From the planting of trusted Sangh loyalists in key posts of various institutions to the crackdown on students and teachers in IIT Madras, FTII, Hyderabad central university, JNU and other places to the persecution of human rights activists and restrictions on media operations – the pattern has been quite clear. This is the basis on which students have been charged with sedition, every critical questioning of the government's Kashmir policy and handling of Pakistan has been dubbed an insult to the army reflecting complicity with Pakistan, and demand for judicial inquiry in the case of the Bhopal fake encounter is being branded as an act of appeasement of Muslims in the interest of 'vote-bank politics'. 

While accusing the entire opposition of politicizing issues of national security, the BJP is openly asking its cadre to use the surgical strike for votes in UP elections. Even as the one-day ban on NDTV has been put 'on hold', the Chhattisgarh police has booked professors of Delhi University and JNU in a case of 'murder of an adivasi'. Delhi police who has shown utter inertia and inaction in the case of JNU student Najeeb Ahmad who has been missing for more than three weeks following an assault by ABVP activists inside the JNU campus unleashed its fury on protesting students and citizens including Najeeb's mother. We saw the Delhi police behave similarly in the case of retired soldier Ramkrishan Grewal who took his own life to protest against the non-implementation of the OROP scheme on which the Modi government always pats its own back.

The Modi government and the entire Sangh brigade seem to be working on a conscious strategy of testing the waters and keeping the pot boiling so they can keep the people divided along as many fault lines as possible even as they unleash their regressive agenda in its entirety. But in the process, the government is creating a series of flashpoints and once the people start recognizing the links and identifying the common threat, the battle-lines can all converge in a common battlefield. The Sangh brigade believes it has the freedom to define the nation and everything pertaining to it – from nationalism to national security to every other national interest – and the Modi government has the luxury to impose an undeclared emergency and suppress all dissent in the name of national security. Let us tell them loud and clear that India shall never brook another Emergency, declared or undeclared, and the destroyers of the country shall never be allowed to teach us on patriotism and national security.

 

Withdraw FIR Against Prof. Nandini Sunder and Others Files by Chhattisgarh Govt.

CPI(ML) strongly condemns the FIR filed by the Chhattisgarh government against Delhi University professor Nandini Sundar, JNU professor Archana Prasad, CPI(M) Chhattisgarh state secretary Sanjay Parate, Vineet Tiwari from Delhi's Joshi Adhikar Sansthan and six others. This FIR, ridiculously charging Prof. Sundar and others of the murder of an adivasi villager in Bastar, is clearly an attempt to intimidate all democratic voices speaking out against the ongoing state repression in Chhattisgarh. Apart from murder, they have been charged with criminal conspiracy and rioting.

The ridiculousness of the charges are patently visible. On 4 November, Shamnath Baghel was killed at his residence in the Tongpal area in Chhattisgarh, allegedly by Maoists. According to the Chhattisgarh police and Inspector General of Police Kalluri, Baghel had been getting threats from the Maoists. Nandini Sundar, Archana Prasad, Vineet Tiwari, Sanjay Parate and an unidentified woman activist from Sukma have been accused of "inciting" adivasis against the government and seeking villagers support for Maoists. It is on the basis of these absurd allegations that Prof. Sundar and others are being charged and harassed.

Earlier this year, those named in the FIR were part of a fact-finding team that documented the repression in Bastar. Prof. Sundar and others have consistently been campaigning against the widespread human rights violations in Chhattisgarh. Time and again, democratic voices have exposed the blatant lies of the police and security forces. They have repeatedly brought to light the continuing impunity with which murders, rapes, fake encounters and widespread intimidation of adivasis is taking place in Bastar. It needs to be remembered that the Chhattisgarh Police was recently indicted by the CBI for not just burning 160 homes in Dantewada in 2011, but also for falsely suggesting that Maoists were responsible for the violence and damage. The current IGP Kalluri was the SSP of Dantewada in 2011 when this incident took place. Prof. Sundar, Swami Agnivesh amongst others had played a crucial role in bringing this horrific episode to light.

Clearly, the FIR now filed against Prof. Sundar and others are a punishment for their daring to expose the reality of Bastar, for daring to speak out against the ongoing brutalities unleashed by the police and security forces and supported by the Raman Singh government in Chhattisgarh. Just two weeks ago, police and special auxiliary forces in Chhattisgarh burnt effigies of critics of human rights violations, including Prof. Sundar, at an official protest two weeks ago. And now this farcical FIR has been filed.

Truth is being turned on its head: those who expose murders by Chhattisgarh police and paramilitary forces are now being booked for murder. We are being asked to believe the opposite of truth. CPI(ML) demands an end to the intimidation and harassment of human rights activists, journalists and scholars exposing the reality of Bastar.

 

Jan Ekta Rally to Commemorate 6th Death Anniversary of Com. Ram Naresh Ram

Jan Ekta Rally ( People's Unity Rally) was organized in Piro on 26 October 2016 to commemorate the 6th anniversary of Com. Ram Naresh Ram, the towering figure of social change and founder of CPI(ML) in Bhojpur. The rally, attended by large numbers of poor, minorities and justice-loving people was organized on the issues of communal harmony, democracy and people's rights. Party leaders Rameshwar Prasad, Mahboob Alam, Sudama Prasad and many others were present in the rally.

The rally organized was also to protest against the attempts of Sangh forces to incite communal frenzy in Piro on the occasion of Durga Puja and Muharram. It is to be noted that only CPI(ML) is openly protesting against the violence being unleashed against the minority community. Parties like the RJD, JD(U) and LJP were complicit in the BJP conspiracy to incite violence and riots. All these parties ran campaigns first against the minority community and then against the CPI(ML) and spread all kinds of rumours. In recent days, the Sangh forces focused on Tarari, the constituency of CPI(ML) MLA Sudama Prasad, and ran a conspiracy to spread communal poison and create enmity between dalits and Muslims in a bid to weaken the CPI(ML). They had tried a similar ploy in 2014 at Sahar during Laxmi Puja.

The Party countered attempts to vitiate the atmosphere by holding meetings from village to village followed by the Jan Ekta Rally on 26 October. The rally which was attended in large numbers by people including many from the minority community was able to lessen the fear which had been instilled in the minds of the minorities. The rally cautioned the rioters' ideological nurturers- the BJP and RSS, that the CPI(ML) would take up cudgels against their communal hate-mongering. These initiatives by the Party broadened its mass base and left a deep impact on the minority community who understood that in times of trouble it is only the ML which stands by them. This rally not only strengthened the people's unity by opposing the politics of communal division, but also exposed the opportunistic politics of the RJD and JD(U) on the issue of communalism.

 

Condemn Police Assault on the Activists of Rihaai Manch

CPI(ML) state unit of Uttar Pradesh strongly condemned the police brutalities unleashed on the activists of the Rihaai Manch including on their general secretary Rajeev Yadav. On 2 November 2016, the activists of the Rihaai Manch were on their way to the GPO park in Lucknow to protest against the fake encounters of 8 Muslim youth in Bhopal by Bhopal Police. However, they were stopped by the Lucknow Police and brutally beaten up.

A team of party members visited the office of the Rihaai Manch to meet the injured activists. CPI(ML) UP state secretary Ramji Rai said that the way the Samajwadi Party government dealt with peaceful activists and those defending democracy has started reminding one of the days of emergency. The party that claims to follow the ideals of Lohia is showing authoritarian behaviour. He also said that it seems the talking about the failures of the BJP government at the centre and exposing their attempts to incite communal frenzy as the UP elections come closer does not appear to go down well not only with the BJP but even with the SP. The SP government at the state appears uncomfortable about questions being raised about the failures and communal agenda of the BJP. If it were not so, the police under Akhilesh Yadav would not have unleashed brutalities on the protestors demanding answers on the so called "bravery" of the MP police headed by Shivraj Singh. He added that the people of the state are watching everything and the elections to the state assembly are not far away. He demanded strict action against the accused police officials who attacked the activists of the Rihaai Manch.

 

Protests Continue Against the Inactions and Failures in Finding JNU Student Najeeb

It has been nearly three weeks since Najeeb, student of JNU went missing. The JNU administration and the Delhi police have completely failed to take effective measures to find Najeeb. On 3 November the JNUSU organised a solidarity meeting with leaders from various political parties and other concerned citizens on the JNU campus. The speakers including Delhi CM, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, CPI(ML) PB member Kavita Krishnan, CPI(M) PB member Prakash Karat and several others came down on the JNU administration for its efforts to shield the attackers of Najeeb and for failing to recognize the attack on Najeeb. They also strongly criticised the Delhi Police for its shoddy search process in which it had failed to interrogate the attackers whom several students have identified, the warden who was witness to the violence and several others. They also spoke against the increasing persecution of the minorities by the present government.

On 6 November, a United Citizens Vigil at India Gate was called to increase the pressure on the Delhi Police to find Najeeb. However, the Delhi Police cordoned off the entire area around India Gate and did not allow the protestors to gather. Najeeb's mother was brutally dragged away and pushed into the bus. Students travelling in public buses were detained and taken to different police stations. Male police was seen brutally assaulting female activists. The day saw the police sparing no attempts to ensure that voices demanding justice for Najeeb were suppressed. However, undeterred students continued to raise slogans for Najeeb and making all possible attempts to reach the site of protest. Hundreds of students and Najeeb's mother and sister were detained.

On 7 November JNUSU gave a call for a Protest Demo in front of the Delhi Police Head Quarter against the police's brutality on Najeeb's mother, sister and many students on the way to the vigil at the India Gate. The students decided that in days to come they will further intensify the movement against the continuous delay and tactics by the Delhi Police to sheild the ABVP goons who attacked Najeeb. The student leaders said that there will be no tolerance to the police's lethargy in finding out Najeeb.

 

Protests in Darbhanga against Bhopal Fake Encounter

On 31 October 2016 the Madhya Pradesh police killed 8 undertrial Muslim youths citing the reason that they "had broken jail and were running away". The videos that have come up later have clearly exposed the lies of the BJP government and the contradiction between the statements of the state home minister and the Bhopal IG.  Besides Delhi, where protest was held on 1 November demanding a full enquiry monitored by the Supreme Court into these alleged encounter killings, protests have also been organized in other parts of the country.

In Darbhanga, Bihar, a protest march against the fake encounter killings in MP was taken out under the joint banners of the CPI(ML) and the Insaf Manch. The march, led by ML State committee member Abhishek Kumar, Insaf Manch State VP Naiyaz Ahmad, and CPI(ML) City Secretary Com. Sadiq Bharati, proceeded past the Collectorate and culminated in a meeting at the Laheriyasearai Tower presided over by Ranjeet Ram. Addressing the meeting Abhishek Kumar said that even before this, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has regularly killed adivasis and minorities in fake encounters. This is the same Shivraj Chauhan government which has murdered 42 people in order to hush up the Vyapam scam. Naiyaz Ahmad said that the killing of 8 undertrials by the MP police is a cold-blooded and pre-planned murder.

 

Dharna Against Brutal Oppression of Adivasis in Bastar

A dharna was organized under the banner of the Bastar Bachao Sangharsh Samti on 3 November 2016 at Budha Talab, Raipur to demand resignation of Chief Minister Raman Singh and the arrest of police official SRP Kalluri who are responsible for the brutal repression of adivasis in the State and the murder of democracy. Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha (Mazdoor Karyakarta Samiti), CPIM, CPI(ML) (Red Star), CPI(ML) (Liberation), Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha, Adivasi Kalyan Sansthan, Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, Jila Kisan Sangharsh Samiti (Rajnandgaon), Chhattisgarh Christian Fellowship, Dalit Mukti Morcha, PUCL Chhattisgarh, Bastar Patrakar Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, Chhattisgarh Kisan Sabha and other organizations participated in the dharna.

Addressing the dharna, Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha President Janaklal Thakur said that we cannot countenance a Prime Minister who provides protection to criminals. This government is crushing the rights of farmers, workers, adivasis, and dalits. The adivasis of Bastar are being brutally repressed so that their land can be grabbed. Sanjay Parate of the CPIM said that the Sangh goons are attacking the rights of the common people across the country. The Modi-Raman-Kalluri triumvirate is having adivasis killed in Bastar and handing over natural resources and land, which are the people's property, to corporate companies. Such a government has no right to remain in power. Nand Kumar Kashyap of the Kisan Sabha said that this BJP government which burns effigies of political and human rights activists has no faith in democracy and the constitution of India but relies rather on crushing the rights of the people. CPI(ML) (Red Star) State Secretary Shora Yadav pointed out that the Chhattisgarh government is celebrating Rajyotsav (State foundation day celebrations) on the dead bodies of adivasis and farmers. Kamal Shukla of the Bastar Patrakar Sangharsh Samiti said that security forces are giving protection to companies which are engaged in illegal mining in Bastar and are killing innocent citizens; he said that an unbridled loot of minerals is going on in Bastar. The dharna was also addressed by Comrades Brijendra Tiwari, Ramakant Banjare, SR Netam, Kaladas Dahariya, Mridul Sengupta, Goldie George, Sudha Bharadwaj and others.

At the conclusion of the dharna a memorandum was sent to the President of India through the Governor of Chhattisgarh. The people's organizations and political parties affiliated to the Bastar Bachao Sangharsh Samiti said in one voice that violence against innocent adivasis and brutal suppression of human rights is taking place in Bastar under the guise of eradication of Maoism. Adivasis are being killed in fake encounters. Women are being raped by security forces personnel. All this is being done on the say-so of the Central and State governments in order to clear the way for corporate loot of the priceless natural resources of Bastar.

 

Against Attack on Food Security Act

On 5 November 2016, more than three thousand rural poor marched under the banner of All Assam Grameen Shramik Sanstha, affiliated to AICCTU against the Modi's government attack on constitutional rights and in particular on the National Food Security Act. The huge number of protestors who gathered virtually paralyzed the main thoroughfare of Tinsukia town in Assam as they marched raising slogans against the Modi government.

 

AIPWA Third State Conference in Odisha

The All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA) held its third Odisha State Conference on 23 October 2016 at the Nagabhushan Patnayak Bhawan, Bhubaneshwar. Over 200 delegates participated in the conference.

Inaugurating the conference, AIPWA National Vice President, Saroj Choube said that this State conference was a prelude to AIPWA's National conference next month (13-14 Nov) whose chief slogan is "Maang Rahi Hai Aadhi Aabadi-Suraksha Samman aur Azadi" (Half the population is demanding -secuirty, dignity and freedom) and "Sangh Brigade Hoshiyar-Mahilayen Hain Taiyyar" [Sangh Brigade be cautious- Women are Ready (to take you on)].

She further said that in 2014, Narendra Modi's pre-election slogan was "Bahut Hua Nari par Vaar/Abki Baar Bhajapa Sarkar" (Enough of violence on women- this time BJP government). It is now two and a half years since the Modi government came to power but the violence against women has not abated; rather, a veritable 'Vaar" (War) has been launched against farmers, workers, students, women and youth. Today premier campuses of the country have been turned into battle grounds—whether it is the institutional murder of Rohith Vemula or witch-hunt of students at JNU and BHU. Everywhere students who raise their voices in dissent are being attacked. There is no safety for women and girls across the country. A failure on all fronts, the Modi government now wants to throw the country into the flames of war-mongering. The people's water, forests, and land are being handed over forcibly to corporate companies even if it means using bullet-force. People are being killed in fake encounters. To resist present situation, we must strengthen the organization and sharpen people's struggles.

CPI(ML) State Secretary Yudhishthir Mahapatra, Namita Biswal, peasant leader Ashok Pradhan and AICCTU leader Radhakant Sethi also addressed the open session of the conference. Com. Savita Baraj presented the work-report. Comrades Sita Das, Roshan Ara Bibi, Jayanti Biswal, Urmila Nimle, Atyoshi Malik, Sukanti Kustiya, Jyotsna Mishra, and Arati Jena presented their views on the report. At the conclusion, a 25-member State committee was constituted with Savita Baraj as President and Mandakini Sethi as Secretary. The conference also elected the delegates who would participate in the forthcoming national conference.

 

Fact Finding Report on the Killing of Minhaj Ansari in Jharkhand

A 22 year old Muslim youth Minhaj Ansari died after being brutally beaten by police in Narayanpur block in Jaamtada district. On 17 October, a fact-finding team comprising of members from AIPF, UMF, Right to Food Campaign, Anjuman Islamia, Yuva Ulgulan Manch and ACPR visited Minhaj Ansari's home and talked to his family members and villagers. The following facts emerged during the fact finding:

On 3 October evening, the station incharge of Narayanpur station along with other police personnel took away Minhaj Ansari, Fahim and Shabaan from Minhaj's shop. There was a complaint against Minhaj that he has posted a controversial picture in a whatsapp group. They were beaten while they were being taken away. Several villagers reported that on the night Minhaj was arrested the police made him run and beat him mercilessly. They could hear his and others cry for help. The police also threatened those standing outside witnessing this cruelty that they too would be shot if they did not go inside.

Minhaj's relatives reported that when they saw Minhaj's dead body, the bones of his neck, hand and feet were found to be broken. The post mortem report had mentioned excessive bleeding. Shahban and Fahim who had been arrested along with Minhaj shared that Minhaj had anticipated that the police would kill him. Shahban said that while initially they were beaten together, later Minhaj was taken to a separate room to be beaten. They could hear his cries from the other room. On the night of 3 October when the police sub inspector went to Minhaj's home to collect his laptop and sim card, they let him talk to his sister on phone, where he also shared with her that the police will kill him and they must give the police whatever the police is asking for. Besides laptop and Sim, they also took 3000 rupees cash. They abused his sister calling her whore and threatened his relatives that they would be put behind bars if they spoke in favour of Minhaj. 

Minhaj's family never saw him alive again after he was picked by police.  Even when he was produced before SP, he could hardly move and he was unconscious. On 6 October he was sent to RIMS hospital where his parents saw him but there was no movement in his body. It was on 9 October that he was officially declared dead.

The team found out that Minhaj had been killed in police custody in which the station sub-inspector Harish Pathak, RSS members and the Cow protection groups have a direct role in Mihnaj's death. Vishwa Hindu Parishad's Jaamtada district secretary Sonu Singh had complained against him and when Minhaj's uncle went to the police station, Sonu Singh was present there beating Minhaj and giving directions to Harish Pathak to beat him. Minhaj's family has registered a case of murder against Sonu Singh.

The fact finding team has demanded that Sonu Singh and Harish Pathak be arrested and all false cases slapped on relations and family of Minhaj be taken back. His family should also be paid a compensation. There should be impartial judicial investigation into the entire incident. During the release of the report the team also condemned the Raghuvar Das government for oppressing democratic voices and unleashing police oppression and terror in the state.

 

OBITUARIES

Comrade Rama Gairola

It is with deep sorrow and shock that we learnt of the untimely death of Comrade Rama Gairola at the prime of her life and revolutionary political journey at the very young age of 30. She was a CPI(ML) State Committee member and AIPWA Joint Secretary in Uttar Pradesh. She was admitted in Jatpura local hospital in the night of 1-2 November after a heavy bout of fever. Doctors assured that she will improve in a couple of days, but the fever persisted and on 4th November she was taken to Puranpur hospital and then to the Pilibhit district hospital. The next day her condition deteriorated suddenly in the evening and doctors referred her to the hospital in Bareilly but she passed away around 10.30 PM within ten minutes of reaching the Bareilly hospital.

Dengue has spread in epidemic proportions in Puranpur where the CPI(ML) party office is located. Comrade Rama was involved in helping dengue patients in her locality, when she herself contracted the disease.

The fact that she was diagnosed with dengue – a curable disease - on time and yet her life could not be saved is a comment on the state of health services in rural India.

Comrade Rama was very much liked by the workers, peasants, and women amongst whom she worked. She had been a model elected member of the Zila Panchayat - a post she won with a record margin in 2010 after an election campaign conducted on her own, without any money power, on foot from village to village. She fought against the custodial killing of a dalit youth Rampal while contesting this election. Inside the Zila Panchayat she was a voice for the struggles of people, raising her voice against rampant corruption in different development schemes. She won hearts all through the five years of her tenure. When the Zila Panchayat illegally sanctioned construction of shops on the hospital land it was her struggle that forced the authorities to stop the construction. She joined peasants in the struggle against inclusion of 95 villages of Pilibhit under the Tiger Project, leading thousands in the gherao of central minister Maneka Gandhi's office in Pilibhit which is the latter's parliamentary constituency.

She was one of those comrades who are always available to the people in their need and always ready to take whatever initiative is required in order to resolve various issues.

She had rejected an award from the UP State Government in protest against violence on women and Mulayam Singh's rape culture 'boys are boys, they can make a mistake' remark.

She had begun organising ASHA and Anganwadi workers and had worked hard during their protest and chakka jam - road blockade - recently held in the state capital Lucknow. Her wish to organise this important contingent of workers and women in an effective state level organisation remained unfulfilled.

Comrade Ram Gairola was a promising young activist of AIPWA and CPI(ML) Liberation in Pilibhit and rural Western Uttar Pradesh. She emerged as a leading voice of left in the region within a brief time span of just 6 years. She left indelible imprints of her work and service to the people that no one can forget.

She lived the life of a revolutionary, and became a fulltime activist. She had to fight personal battles against patriarchal restrictions in her own home, and chose her life companion braving heavy opposition from parents.

We are committed to carrying forward Comrade Rama Gairola's struggles.  

 

Com. Ramjeet Bediya

Com. Ramjeet Bediya, a resident of village Padariya (Chumba Panchayat) in Mandu block of Ramgarh district, Jharkhand, passed away on 30 October 2016 from heart failure while undergoing treatment at RIMS in Ranchi. He was 55 years old and left behind his wife, four daughters and a son.

Com. Ramjeet joined the party in 1988 and had been an active member ever since. He played an active role in the party's struggles against feudal oppression, moneylenders' oppression and police repression as well as in the struggles on the issues of employment and wages.

His funeral procession was accompanied by party leaders, activists, and villagers in large numbers, including CPI(ML) district Secretary Bhuneshwar Bediya, Mandu block committee members Laka Bediya, Ramvriksh Bediya, Prayag Bediya. A two minute silent tribute was paid and condolences expressed to his family members before the last rites, and it was resolved to carry forward his work and fulfill his dreams.

 

Com. Deviram Besra

The untimely demise of Com. Deviram Besra, aged 47, occurred recently in Jobla village, Mandu block, Ramgarh district in Jharkhand. He had become a member of the CPI(ML) in 1986. He had played an active role in the party's struggles against feudal oppression and for restoration of land to the poor. He had participated in the movements against police repression and for ending pay-loader system to give opportunities to the unemployed. He also participated in movements outside Jharkhand and campaigned for elections in Purnea (Bihar).

 

Com. Ghanshyam Mahto

Spirited and dedicated kisan leader of the nineties Com. Ghanshyam Mahto passed away in his paternal village Bundu in Baruhathu. He was 76 years old. He joined the CPI(ML) in 1990 and worked ceaselessly for the poor and adivasis. In spite of financial constraints, he never looked back or wavered. On the day of his demise, despite ill health, he attended the Sankalp Sabha on the martyrdom day of Parmeshwar Singh Munda. He leaves behind three daughters and two sons.

Red Salute to all departed Comrades !

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