India: Open-cast Coal Mining Threatens Indigenous Villagers of Kusum Tola, Karanpura Valley, Jharkhand

The expanding operations of mining company Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) are posing an immediate threat to the survival of 1,000 indigenous people facing eviction from the village of Kusum Tola located in the North Karanpura region in the Indian State of Jharkhand. Heavy blasting in adjacent villages is already producing clouds of harmful dust and cracks in house foundations in Kusum Tola.  The eviction is a gross violation of the villagers’ human right to food. Meanwhile, the impact of the mining operations on regional watersheds will deprive them of access to water and is therefore a violation of their right to water. The mining operations negatively affect people’s ability to maintain their livelihoods, with consequences including hunger and malnutrition.

This case requires your URGENT ACTION in writing to the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Manmohan Singh, to support the villagers in their resistance against CCL’s mining plans, which are supported by the Indian Government.  Please send copies of your letter to Mrs. Pratibha Patil, President of India; Mr.Jairam Ramesh, Minister for Environment and Forests and Mr. Arjun Munda, Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Please do so by JULY 28, 2011.