Hundreds of Bagjhala residents, led by the AIKM, staged a massive protest at Budh Park, Haldwani in Haldwani on December 23, 2024. The demonstration called immediate withdrawal of government eviction notices and a suspension on “developmental works” in their village.
The protesters issued a stern warning to the government, stating that if their demands are not met within a month, they would escalate their agitation and stage a gherao of the Lalkuan MLA. Additionally, a signature campaign will be launched to garner wider support for their cause. Following the assembly at Budh Park, a procession was taken out, culminating in the submission of a memorandum to the Chief Minister via the City Magistrate.
Speaking at the protest, CPI(ML) Central Control Commission Chairman Raja Bahuguna condemned the government’s attempts to uproot the residents of Bagjhala, a settlement that predates India’s independence. He asserted that the villagers, who rely on farming, animal husbandry, and small-scale livelihoods, have the right to continue living and working on the land they have nurtured for generations.
Anand Singh Negi, State President of the AIKM, condemned the government for stripping Bagjhala residents of their voting rights in local Gram Panchayat elections. “First, they were denied their democratic right to vote in the Devla-Pajaya Gram Sabha. Then, the forest department imposed a ban on new construction, even demolishing a government-constructed cement concrete road and halting the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ water supply scheme. This could not have been done without the state government’s tacit approval,” Anand Negi added, urging the government to clarify its stance on Bagjhala.
Other speakers, including farmer leaders and women’s committee representatives, voiced concerns that Bagjhala’s prime land, located near proposed projects such as a stadium, zoo, bus terminal, and High Court, is being eyed by rich builders and land-mafia. "The government appears intent on transferring this valuable land to corporate builders at the expense of poor farmers and villagers," said Pankaj Chauhan, one of the conveners.
A six-point memorandum, addressed to the Chief Minister, included the following demands
Immediate withdrawal of eviction notices issued by the forest department. Residents should be granted permanent settlement rights, and steps should be taken to de-forest the land and convert Bagjhala into a revenue village.
Reinstate Bagjhala residents’ voting rights in the Devla-Pajaya Gram Sabha.
Lift the ban on construction activities in Bagjhala and allow resumption of developmental projects.
Resume work on the stalled Har Ghar Jal water supply scheme.
Restart construction of the demolished cement concrete road.
Remove restrictions on new electricity connections.
The protest, which culminated in a spirited procession from Budh Park to the City Magistrate’s office, was attended by numerous prominent activists and leaders, including Raja Bahuguna, Anand Singh Negi, and Dr. Kailash Pandey, who chaired the meeting. Representatives from various rural and women’s committees, including Urmila Rainswal, Pushpa Bhatt, and Sonu Devi expended their solidarity with the movement.
