Sat Sep 20 04:07:31 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:
**The Hindu News Report**
**West Bengal Coal Project Sparks Controversy: Locals Protest Displacement and Environmental Concerns**
**Siuri, West Bengal – September 20, 2025** – A large public convention was held in the Siuri area of Birbhum district on Friday, September 19, 2025, protesting the Deocha Pachami coal mining project. The gathering, organized by a coalition of local activists, politicians, and residents, voiced strong opposition to what they claim are illegal land acquisitions, forced displacement of Adivasi communities, and inadequate compensation.
The convention was led by prominent figures including economist and politician Prasenjit Bose, veteran Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and CPI(M) Politburo member Ramachandra Dom. Speakers highlighted the potential for devastating consequences to the local communities and environment.
“Thousands of Adivasi, Dalit, and minority families are living in fear of displacement,” stated an official statement released by the convention organizers. “The culture and existence of a society dependent on water, forest, and land is being pushed to the brink of destruction.” Local activists also raised concerns about long-term water shortages and the exacerbation of existing air and water pollution stemming from the mining operations.
Participants are demanding a judicial inquiry into the project, alleging corruption and calling for an immediate halt to all work. They argue that despite claims of significant coal reserves (estimated at 1200 million tonnes), the thick basalt layer (90-245 meters) covering the coal makes extraction economically and technically unfeasible.
This contention is supported by Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition, who has stated that coal mining from such thick layers of basalt is close to impossible.
The controversial project, touted by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the Bengal Global Business Summit in February as a source of coal for a century and a generator of one lakh jobs, continues to face significant challenges.
“The government’s claims are misleading. What is happening on the ground is not coal extraction but basalt mining in phases, pushed through without proper clearances,” alleged an organizer of the mass convention.
Local residents have been staging protests since the inception of the project, fearing land seizures and relocation for what is being promoted as India’s largest coal block. While government officials claim a compensation package of ₹39 lakhs and one job per family for those surrendering land, critics allege a lack of transparency in the process, leaving communities with an uncertain future. The situation remains tense, with local activists vowing to continue their resistance until their concerns are addressed.
First Piper 