Ambedkar Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh is formed by Chief Minister Mayawati on September 29, 1995 and named in the memory of the Father of Indian Constitution, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar for his work done for the upliftment of the depressed classes, women and other weaker sections of the Society.
Ambedkar Nager district is mostly dominated by the weaver's as terricot fabric of Tanda is famous. In Ambedkar Nagar district about 1.5 lakh power looms are established (Tanda: 10,000powerloom/Baskari: 2000powerloom/Jalalpur but due to irregularity in supply of electricity and low wages are the two reasons for the plight of weaving industry. After weaving one meter clothes weavers only gets one and half Rupees. The drawback of the entire situation is not having alternate livelihood opportunities to weavers and the people who are engaged with weaving occupation are not able to meet the two ends of their families.
Alarming situation of weavers in Ambedkar Nagar district:
Mr. Manoj Singh grass root activist of People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) start identifying malnutrition and starvation death cases in Ambedkar Nagar district.
In July, 2007 Julie 5 years old girl of village Ahaladpur in Tanda block was identified as Grade IV malnourished girl by Dr. R. K Singh of Primary Health Centre Tanda, advocacy from grass root level to international level was done by People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights and Asian Human Rights Commission. But that was not sufficient to save the life of five year old girl Julie as local administration fold his hand and watch the entire incidence as stranger on 24th May, 2007 Julie closed her eyes forever.
Even Julie's father Mr. Lakshman Prasad Jaiswal also died due to hunger and starvation one month before his child death. News was highlight by the print media and local administration wipes their hand after giving few kg of ration to Julie family.
Mr. Shesh Nath Singh Sub Divisonal Magistrate (SDM) Tanda denies the incidence of hunger and malnutrition in the concerned village. Essential need will be provided after survey. Anrundhati Dhuru advisor of Supreme Court accept the nastiest condition of the village.
Julie with her mother and brother and Sister
After Julie several cases of malnutrition and starvation death came in lime light from several block of Ambedkar Nagar like Kanchan daughter of Raj Kumar, Jyoti two and half year old daughter of Jamu Sonker and Meena.
Neha two year old weaver's girl is struggling for her life. After several alarms District Magistrate of Ambedkar Nager ordered for providing assistance to Neha but until and unless the order of D.M is closed in the file. On 17th October, 2007 Nirjala four years old weaver girl in Ahaladpur village died due to malnutrition.
Kanhaiya Lal Gupta left weaving occupation due to low wages and start parelling wheat mill and earn 50 Rupees in a day which is irregular. Kanhaiya Lal was unable to fetch food and medical treatment of his wife and daughter which result to three serials death in Kanhaiya Lal's family of his wife Jai Mala, newly born baby and ten year's old daughter Sundari Devi.
The real face of local administration shown after death of three year old malnourished boy Pritam. Pritam was diagnosed as Grade IV malnourished boy in Primary health centre by Dr. R.K Singh Since October 13 Manoj was trying to alert the district administration regarding Pritam''s situation Pritam did not respond to the treatment and died on November 25
The response of the district administration however was not positive. The officers at the DM's office threatened grass root activist of PVCHR Mr. Manoj Singh for taking up the cases, particularly those of the Dalit communities in the village. Being insensitive to the plight of the poor people within his jurisdiction, the District Magistrate who came to the village the next day after Pritam's death threatened Pritam's father, Raj Karan, intimidating him and shouting at Raj that some of their children would die if a poor person like Raj had several children.
Pritam with his father Raj Karan
The district administration came to know that Asian Human Rights Commission is bringing national and international attention into the village through hunger alert, the officers from the district administration came to village for the first time and gave Rupees 100 (USD 2) each and a bottle of milk to some families and threatened them not to talk to any 'human rights people'. Pritam's parents also were threatened by the officers in similar fashion.
After every hunger or malnutrition death local administration announces the showers of assistance only to popularize it through print and electronic media but the actual condition is still the victim or needy family eyes are waiting for the help.
Protest done for basic amenities
On 16th May, 2007 villagers of Ahladpur did strike in district headquarter after strike they give their demand to Block Development Officer (BDO) Tanda. But till now no facilities is provided by government to save the life of the weaver suffering from hunger and malnutrition.
On 18th September, 2007 villagers of Ashopur agitate on reduction of rate and protest and give their demands like Antodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card, opening of Anganwadi centre in every ghetto to D.M with the help of grass root activist Mr. Manoj Singh.
On 23rd September, 2007 villagers of Ashopur with bread protest in front of District Magistrate office and gave their demand to District Magistrate Mr. Ajay km. Upadhaya.
Several protest and news highlighted by print and electronic media marginalized people are standing at same place even though now they are living worst life than before.
Attention by state and international organization in alarming
On 15th April, 2007 Mrs. Vidyawati Rajbhar member of State Women Commission visit Arkapur and Ahaladpur village of Tanda block for the actual condition of weavers and daily wages labours. On 1 July Ms. Jin ju researcher from Asian Human Rights Commission. In month of October Mr. Bijo Francis South Asia desk officer of Asian Human Rights Commission and Dr. Lenin Convener of People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights visit the Arkapur and Ahaladpur village of Tanda block.
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