[IMC-Editorial] THE GREAT GENE ROBBERY-II

[Rajendra Kumar Sail]

THE SEED SATYAGRAH
NEWS UPDATE – 12TH & 13TH DECEMBER 2002

Dear Comrades,

As you might be aware that the peasants, farmers, women and youth of Chhattisgarh have started a SEED SATYAGRAH from 10th December 2002 in protest of the decision taken by the Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur to sell the 22,972 varieties of paddy germplasm, collected by the great scientists, Dr. Richharia, which is in their custody to a MNC called SYNGENTA. Under the SEED SATYAGRAH they are courting arrests all over Chhattisgarh and handing over a memorandum containing their 7 point demand. 

On the first day i.e. 10th December more than 4,000 people participated in the CHHATTISGARH SEED SATYAGRAH at various places covering Mahasamund, Pithora, Basna, Saraipalli, Kasdol & Raipur. 

11th December, 2002

On the 2nd day of the JAIL BHARO ANDOLAN people gathered in large numbers to court arrest at various place but the administration in spite of having prior information refused to arrest the people saying that they were demonstrating in a peaceful manner. A letter has been written to the administration protesting against this uncooperative attitude of the police and a warning has also been issued stating that if this might lead to development of some grave situation in the future.  Inspite, of this people gathered in large number and sat on a daylong dharna, distributed pamphlets and also shouted slogans and sang revolutionary songs. A total of 1261 people had gathered in various villages of Basna, Pithora, Kasdol, Saraipalli & Mahasamund blocks. 

12th December, 2002
 
On the 3rd day also peasants, workers, women and youth gathered in large numbers in their villages and protested against the SYNGENTA issue. A total of 994 people had gathered in various villages of Basna, Pithora, Kasdol, Saraipalli & Mahasamund blocks. 

Along with the protest campaign we are also making a conscious effort to spread awareness about the sale of the rare varieties of paddy germplasm and also about the sale of Sheonath river by the State Government to a private company called Radius Water Ltd. 

We will keep you posted about the progress of the Chhattisgarh Seed Satyagrah.

In Solidarity

Akshay Sail 
Chhattisgarh Labour Institute
 
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