Bokaro residents write to Modi on encroachments

Bokaro: An organisation of people, who had given land to Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) to set up its unit, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save the township from encroachments.
The members of the organisation, Bokaro Visthapith Rayyat Sangh, have argued that they gave up their land to the BSL to build its plant, not for squatters to move in.
The particular place in question is Picnic Garden, which is situated in the heart of the city, also known as Khandala Park. This park is adjacent to Sector-4 /F, a posh area of BSL township.
Till 2000-01, the residents used to hang out in this garden. But nowadays it’s in ruins. Annoyed with the lackadaisical approach of the BSL in curbing encroachment in its township, the Sangh members have sought help of the Prime Minister.
More than 2,000 acres of land in BSL township have been encroached upon. Rising encroachment has become a major issue here affecting development and expansion of BSL plant. The displaced people are now demanding the unused land back from the BSL. They alleged that BSL is neither utilising the empty land nor saving it from getting encroached.
The Sangh wrote that Picnic Garden is built on 20 acres of BSL land. Though a boundary wall surrounds this garden, squatters have demolished parts of it and built hutments.
The general secretary of Sangh, Bhagwan Prasad Sahu, said if encroachment of Picnic Garden is not stopped, SAIL-BSL will lose the land.
“It is very painful to see the land of our forefathers, which were given to BSL for setting up project, is being encroached by squatters and the company officials are doing nothing. Their connivance cannot be denied. We have informed and written several letters to the BSL management regarding the encroachment in Picnic Garden, but till date no action has been taken,” said Sahu.
He said before writing to the Prime Minister, our organisation had sent letters to the BSL, director in-charge, executive director and general manager of BSL separately informing about the encroachment but in vain.
The BSL management has drawn flak since the past several years due to rising encroachment on its land in Bokaro township and facing more criticism after the organisation stepped up its protests in the past few months. The JMM has also announced its support to the organisation.