Death of My City….

Two decades back, when industrialization set its first foot in Raigarh; people of my generation went to school. Me, with some other boys of colony used to ride over Riksha, to attend school and come back. We crossed then lone bridge over kelo, few movies talkies, modest shops and half empty streets to reach our school called “RG Model”. Sometime Riksahwalla took a different route, and then we passed some old buildings Built by late Seth kirodimal and his aide Mr Paluram Dhanania. All these are educational, Religious  and charitable institutions.

The city business was based upon small and medium traders. Forest contractors of timber and non timber, grocery, small time transporters were among rich. One of my friend once exclaimed who lives in that biggest building, pointing towards Savaria building, which now stands under shadow of ROB.  I remember Rikshawalla bhaiya telling – This is Matu seth’s building, He is Nagar Seth.

Twenty years later, Matu seth is no longer hailed as same.  Transporting, Supply, land brokerage and Contractor-ship made many Matu seth. This city is totally transformed as many small time businessmen also prospered. Mall, Branded shops, life style -all these changed, with entry and expansion of industry.

In later half of 90s, we first heard of industry-people conflict. Some, sporadic incidents clash between Jindal strips people and city youth took place. An organized campaign was started by Mr. Ramkumar Agrawal Ex MLA, against jindal taking up kelo’s water. Over 5000 Raigarh people spontaneously gathered, over a public hearing, in Mini-stadium to resist Jindal’s Expansion plan on Raigarh plant.  Then environment Department officer was severely beaten by raged people, accusing him of undue favors to this industry.

Rabo movement, become an epic and flashed in national headlines where a dam was to be built to cater Jindal group’s proposed power plant in tamnar. These Conflict stories are now spread over a far larger area, and not restricted to any single industrial house. People demanding compensation for their losses to industry in various forms came out with dissent.

Industrial houses managed to break all these movements, with some common techniques. Leaders of such movement were hired and employed in the very industry they opposed. Many obliged with canteen to construction contracts. Those who refused to silence by these measures, were sued in different cases, no doubt their cases were “reasonable enough” to be considered by court.  None of these measures were offence of law of this land.  

The common nature of dissent demonstration were Bandh, Dharnas, Anshans, Chakka jam, Rallys etc where common people came out, chant slogans and stopping commute of industrial vehicles. This needs leadership on one side and public on other. Lake of leadership itself wane those agitations. This Drama has repeatedly played so many times that whenever any agitation comes up; people ask its leaders, “How much you are planning to take to get silenced”.

And then a different phenomenon took place.

My memories of Ramesh Agrawal are of those early days when internet was not common privilege. You have to pay 30 Rs an hour (Quite expensive), to sit in some internet café. Few on them existed in Raigarh in 1997-98, but best of them was Satyam’s. Best because of excellent speed, good computers, no cubicles and a smiling middle aged man at counter who often allowed me to pay on later date.

Internet later become available in my office and that man also faded in memory. One day, I found him roaming in my office premises (I was then working in forest deportment, Raigarh Division). I learnt he was there to get some information under RTI, and not getting despite many efforts. I contacted concerned colleagues and facilitated information. I later knew that Mr Agrawal, who was also member of lok-shakti, fights for environmental rights of people, and naturally industries were victims of his fight.

Ramesh Agrawal fought in unique way. A law abiding citizen, Mr Agarwal fought with the arms and ammunition, given by constitution in form of Citizen’s right. With His proficiency on internet, his knowledge of environmental laws, his way of presentation, hitting right forum for appropriate issue made him most successful hitter on industry’s interest (or how they see it). Although he presents himself in various public hearings making speeches, and a handful people come to supports him; Mr. Agrawal’s way of functioning does not needs mob. He himself is leader and followers. This makes his movement impregnable, unless he himself chooses to get sold.  

Attempts to get him silenced followed well known trend. He refused to buy off, threatening went unheard. He was sued and spent some time in jail. But what came next was unprecedented. Few shooter shot him twice, in his own cyber café.

Narrowly escaping death, Mr Agarwal may live. But it was the moment when old Raigarh died. So dies with tradition of democratic adjustments, right to speech, right to take legal Course, which both sides have taken earlier. What I see onwards is Raj of Mafia and Goons, Clad in business suits. This is not my Raigarh. This shall never be my Raigarh.  

Rest in Peace, My old City.

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By Manish Singh- 9826187810- rintumanishsingh@gmail.com

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Earier posted on http://suryodaysamachar.blogspot.in/2012/08/death-of-my-city.html