Over 2,000 families displaced by Dimna Dam have been demanding rehabilitation and compensation for the last seven decades. The dam was constructed in the 1940s by Tata Steel in collaboration with the state government and displaced people from 12 villages. The affected families formed the Jharkhand Mukti Vahini (JMV) to get compensation for their land that was either inundated by the dam or forcibly taken away by Tata Steel. The JMV claims that between 2010 and 2016, around eight meetings were held with the Tata Steel management to demand compensation and rehabilitation, but no solution could be chalked out. Another contention of the affected families is that the agricultural land on the periphery of Dimna Lake gets flooded during the monsoon every year due to a rise in the water level. So far, the JMV has only got an acknowledgement from Tata Steel that Lalayam and Punsa villagea are also facing the threat of erosion and are, thus, entitled to compensation. Around 5.83 acres of land in both the villages will be acquired for the project. The displaced families have prepared a 13point list of demands, which includes jobs to at least one member of the displaced families, payment of compensation, medical facilities to the displaced and providing basic facilities to the relocated families. Their demands are yet to be fulfilled while the issue of compensation is also pending.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand for promised compensation, Demand for rehabilitation, Opposition against environmental degradation, Demand for employment
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Both
Type of Common Land
Forest and Non-Forest
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Land Acquisition Laws, Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws
Legislations/Policies Involved
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community? What was the decision of the concerned government department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Non-payment of promised compensation, Non-rehabilitation of displaced people, Delay in compensation
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors
Official name of the criminal law. Did the case reach trial?
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Nature of Protest
Complaints, petitions, memorandums to officials , Development of a network or collective action
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
State government
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Tata Steel
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of Corporate Authorities Approached
Other Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Jharkhand Mukti Vahini
