By:Mohan Lal Verma
Another massive rally by workers and farmers was held today in Tapri, Kinnaur which also happens to be the headquarter of JP Company. More than 5000 tribal people from different villages participated in the rally.
Rakesh Singha, Onkar Shad from CPIM and Surat Negi a former president of zila parishad were also present in the protest. Addressing the gathering Rakesh Singha said that steps would be taken to forcefully acquire the land which has been otherwise illegally acquired by JP Company. The farmers will acquire the land and distribute it among people of that particular area. This land includes apple orchards acquired by JP in Choltu, which is one hectare and Sherpa colony, and Kupa comprising about 800 trees and 1400 trees respectively.
The main focus of the rally was to raise the issue of working class who are demanding wages in consonance to their counterparts in SJVNL. An extremely inhuman outlook and behavior of the JP management has also been the factor for such a huge mobilization. The farmers had been raising the issue of ecology and environment in villages like Meeru and Ula as they may loose their existence. The company was supposed to invest 1% of the profit in local development but nothing has been done so far.
