The State of Jharkhand came into existence on 15th November 2000. The formation of the new State was the outcome of the long struggle by the people of Jharkhand, mainly consisting of tribal people. Unfortunately, not even three months had passed that eight persons were killed and many injured in a police firing at Tapkara, Torpa Block, Sub-Division Khunti of District Ranchi, where people of the region had gathered to lodge their protest against the police excesses, which had taken place on 1st February 2001. It will be appropriate to point out that there has been a people’s movement going on for decades against the proposed Koel Karo Hydro-Electric Project. The social groups and individuals fighting for human rights throughout the country had reacted with concern and dismay.
INSAF (Indian Social Action Forum), as a national forum of social movements, social action groups and intellectuals committed to resisting globalization, combating communalism and defending democracy had then jointly with the Indian People’s Tribunal participated in organizing a Public Hearing in November 2001 to (i) investigate the incident, (ii) suggest steps to provide relief to the affected, and (iii) to recommend appropriate measures to the State Government.
It was thus that a Tribunal of the Indian People’s Tribunal (IPT) chaired by Shri Rajindar Sachar (Retd. Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court and Former President of PUCL) was constituted, along with Shri Sanjay Parikh- Advocate, Supreme Court; Shri Chittaranjan Singh- People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Uttar Pradesh; Dr. Vinod Raina- Educationist and Environmentalist; and Ms. Sudha Bharadwaj – Advocate & activist of Chhattisgarh Mahila Mukti Morcha. This tribunal held public hearings at Ranchi and Tapkara on 1st and 2nd November 2001. The Report and Recommendations of the Indian People’s Tribunal were widely circulated and accepted. The Koel-Karo Project had to be shelved, and never took off due to people’s resistance.
The Report and Recommendations of the Indian People’s Tribunal were widely circulated and accepted. The Koel-Karo Project had to be shelved, and never took off due to people’s resistance.