Singareni Karmika Samakya

Sikasa
Full name Singareni Karmika Samakya
Founded 1980
Key people Vishwanath (Secretary), Rajab Ali (President)
Country India

The Singareni Karmika Samakya (Telugu: సింగరేణి కార్మిక సమాఖ్య, 'Singareni Workers Federation', abbreviated Sikasa, సికాస) is a militant trade union of coal miners in the Singareni coal fields.[1] Sikasa is allegedly linked to the Communist Party of India (Maoist).[2] Vishwanath is the secretary of Sikasa.[3]

The union was founded in 1980. In 1981, it led a 56-day strike.[4] Rajab Ali was the founding president of Sikasa.[5] The union registered on 19 April 1982.[6]

Sikasa held its first conference at Godavarikhani on 10–11 June 1982. 900 delegates and 330 fraternal delegates attended. The conference was preceded by police crackdowns, and the organisers of the conference were prohibited to take out any public procession.[5]

Sikasa was allegedly connected to the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) People's War, functioning as both a legal and underground organization with linkages to the armed squads (dalams) of the party.[1] Sikasa took up several causes of concern for the labourers at the coal fields, such as mine safety, improved working conditions and wages, widespread alcoholism, goondaism and exploitation of miners by contractors.[7]

Between 1988 and 1992, Sikasa led a large number of strikes at the coal fields, paralysing operations at SCCL.[8] As the SCCL came closer to bankruptcy, SIKASA's influence waned as police repression was intensified whilst the company was deferred for restructuring.[7] Sikasa was banned in 1992.[4]

In 2000, two Sikasa leaders were killed in a gun-fight with police in Adilabad district.[9]

Sikasa was revived in 2004.[10] The Andhra Pradesh state government decided to extend the ban on Sikasa in April 2006.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 Economic and Political Weekly, Volume 31. Bombay: Sameeksha Trust, 1996. p. 515
  2. ↑ Andhra Pradesh News : Five Singareni unions call strike today. The Hindu (2004-11-24). Retrieved on 2011-08-14.
  3. ↑ Rs 100 cr loss to SCCL from strike – Times Of India. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2003-02-09). Retrieved on 2011-08-14.
  4. 1 2 World Bank’s Dictate on Singareni. Bannedthought.net (1997-08-04). Retrieved on 2011-08-14.
  5. 1 2 Red salutes to martyrs. bannedthought.net. DOC file. 6 June 1985
  6. ↑ Ram Reddy, R. Industrial Relations in India: A Study of the Singareni Collieries. New Delhi, India: Mittal Publications, 1990. p. 134
  7. 1 2 Maoist Mass Organisations and Mass Movement | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Idsa.in (2010-04-23). Retrieved on 2011-08-14.
  8. ↑ Siddiqui, Moid, and R. H. Khwaja. The Acrobatics of Change: Concepts, Techniques, Strategies and Execution. New Delhi: Response Books, 2008. p. 200
  9. ↑ Two Sikasa leaders killed hinduonnet.com (2000-04-18). Retrieved on 2011-08-02.
  10. ↑ Andhra Pradesh News : Naxalites on mass recruitment drive. The Hindu (2004-10-21). Retrieved on 2011-08-14.
  11. ↑ Title: India Tamil Nadu RYL Naxalites PWG CPI-ML Tamizhga Rahul Gandhi Peravai. (PDF). Retrieved on 2011-08-14.
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