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Peace-loving residents oppose ordnance factory in Nalanda

Soroor Ahmed in Patna

The Rs 6 million ordnance factory project in Union Defence Minister George Fernandes' parliamentary constituency Nalanda, may run into rough weather even before land has been acquired for it.

While the tardy pace of preliminary work has disillusioned many, some local residents have launched a campaign against the project in Rajgir, the town famous for the Shanti stupa.

Under the banner of the Rajgir Citizens' Council, locals of various religious denominations have requested the minister to shift the factory, as Rajgir is known as haven of peace.

The hills of Rajgir attracted Gautam Buddha, Mahavir (who spent 14 months) and the Muslim priest Hazrat Makhdoom Bihari, whose convent is still situated there.

Besides, there is a seva ashram of the Catholic Mission and a centre for vedantic learning. It is important for Hindus as well, since it is associated with the historical and legendary values of Krishna's visit. It is a melting pot of the world's major religions, feel council members.

Thousands from various religions visit Rajgir and the Bihar Government organises a cultural mahotsava in October-November.

Rajgir was the capital of Ajatsatru and Bimbasara, famous kings of ancient times. Academically too, remnants of the famous Nalanda University are near Rajgir.

The foundation stone of the 40th ordnance factory of the country was laid by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on March 5, 1999, during a brief stint of President's rule in the state. It is likely to come up within three years.

While Fernandes, during speeches in his constituency in the recent past had blamed the state government for not providing land, that does not seem to be the truth.

Social thinker Prabhat Kumar Shandilya, told rediff.com that the ordnance factory might soon become an arsenal for various left and right extremist groups as Nalanda is under the volatile central Bihar.

Nalanda and neighbouring Munger districts are famous for illegal gun factories.

Since there are a number of government-owned gun factories in Munger town, many of those employed there are also engaged in the clandestine factories.

Many explosives from the plant at Gomia in South Bihar often pass into the hands of extremists, who use them to trigger landmine blasts.

Social thinkers feel that if care is not taken, Rajgir or the entire Nalanda district may end up becoming a smuggling centre for explosives.

Though Fernandes claims that the factory will provide jobs to many unemployed youths, local citizens feel that the Union government's track record of payment of compensation for land is very bad.

Lakhs of people uprooted during the industrialisation of South Bihar three or four decades back are yet to be rehabilitated or given proper compensation or jobs.

The issue of displaced people of Bokaro being rehabilitated was once again raised by local legislator Samresh Singh, though the Bokaro steel plant was set up 37 years back.

While non-payment of proper compensation is a common complaint, council members fear that their peaceful town may become a target for enemy strikes.

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