Ranibandh

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Ranibandh | type = city | latd = 22.8667 | longd =86.7833
state_name = West Bengal
district = Bankura
leader_title = MLA
leader_name = Deblina Hembram
altitude = 162
population_as_of = 2001
population_total =104317 | population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 91 3243
postal_code = 722 148
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website = bankura.gov.in/
footnotes = CD Bloc

Ranibandh (also spelt Ranibundh) ( _bn. রাণীবাঁধ) is a town, community development bloc and assembly constituency in Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Poor agricultural conditions resulting in severe poverty, force Santal villagers to migrate to other districts for work during the harvesting season. The dense forests in the area have become centres of violent political activity.

Geography

Ranibandh is located at coord|22.8667|N|86.7833|E|. It has an average elevation of convert|162|m|abbr=on. [cite web
url = http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/28/Ranibandh.html
title = Ranibandh, India Page | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work =West Bengal | publisher = Falling Rain Genomics]

With single crops in a semi-arid region, even the cattle do not find much green to graze upon. Younger people migrate out of the drought prone zone, leaving the old to guard their hearths and homes. The Santal villages take on a deserted look as the people move on to find work as migrant workers in the neighbouring districts during the harvesting season. The migration continues even after the commencement of the much hyped National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and other welfare measures, which provide some guaranteed work for rural people for around 100 days in a year. [cite web | url = http://www.sristi.org/cms/report2
title = The Richness in the Scarcity: From Purulia and Patamda to Bankura: West Bengal | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work = | publisher = Sristi - society for research and initiatives for sustainable technologies and institutions ] [cite web | url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?date=2007-12-06&usrsess=1&clid=23&id=206701 | title = It’s harvesting time for labourers | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work =West Bengal | publisher = The Statesman, 12 June 2007]

Demographics

In the 2001 census, Ranibandh community development bloc had a total population of 104,317 of which 53,119 were males and 51,198 were females. Decadal growth for the period 1991-2001 was 11.27% for Ranibandh, against 13.79% in Bankura district. Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84%. [cite web | url = http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/DataTables/02/Table4_13.htm | title = Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 4, Bankura District | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work = Census of India 2001 | publisher = Census Commission of India]

Ranibandh Bloc had a total scheduled caste population of 12,037 and a scheduled tribe population of 50,129. [cite web | url = http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/HouseListingF/SCST/All_distSCST(TRU1)13.htm | title = TRU for all Districts (SC & ST and Total) | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work = Census 2001 | publisher =Census Commission of India ]

Administration

Ranibandh is an intermediate panchayat in Bankura district, with Ambikanagar, Barikul, Haludkanali, Puddi, Rajakata, Ranibandh, Routora and Rudra village panchayats under it. [cite web | url = http://offerings.nic.in/directory/adminreps/viewpansum.asp?selstate=19&pno=13&ptype=V&parenttype=S | title = Village Panchayats of West Bengal | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work = Bankura, page 13 | publisher = National Panchayat Directory,Panchayat Informatics Division,NIC ] [cite web | url = http://offerings.nic.in/directory/adminreps/viewpansum.asp?selstate=19&pno=14&ptype=V&parenttype=S | title = Village Panchayats of West Bengal | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work = Bankura, page 14 | publisher = National Panchayat Directory,Panchayat Informatics Division,NIC ]

Politics

In the 2006, state assembly elections, Deblina Hembram of CPI(M) won the Ranibandh seat, reserved for scheduled tribes defeating her nearest rival Aditya Kisku of Jharkhand Party (N). In 2001, Makar Tudu of CPI(M) defeated Gopinath Saren of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. In 1996, Deblina Hembram of CPI(M) defeated Anil Hansda of INC. In 1991, Arati Hembram of CPI(M) defeated Sudarsan Baskey of INC. In 1987 and 1982, Rampada Mandi of CPI(M) defeated Chandra Mohan Murmu of INC and Jaleswar Murmu, Independent, respectively. In 1977, Suchand Soren of CPI(M) defeated Jadunath Murmu of Janata Party. [cite web
url =http://www.eci.gov.in/electionanalysis/AE/S25/partycomp246.htm | title = 246 - Ranibandh (ST) Assembly Constituency | accessdate = 2008-03-17 | last = | first = | work =West Bengal | publisher = Election Commission of India]

Ranibandh is part of Vishnupur (Lok Sabha constituency). [cite web
url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S25/WB_ACPC.pdf
title = General election to the Legislative Assembly, 2001 – List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies | accessdate = 2008-03-10 | last = | first = | work = West Bengal | publisher = Election Commission of India ]

Ranibandh has been centre of Maoist activity. In 2002, Ramapada Majhi, a senior leader was killed. In 2005, Raghunath Murmu, Ranibandh Zonal member of CPI(M) was gunned down along with another party member, Badal Mudi at Majhgeria in Barikul. [cite web
url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050713/asp/bengal/story_4984348.asp
title = Police offer cover, party acts coy | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work =West Bengal | publisher = The Telegraph, 13 July 2005] The officer in charge of Barikul police station was killed in a blast the same year. [cite web
url = http://naxalwatch.blogspot.com/2005/10/health-camps-child-education-centres.html | title =Health camps, child education centres to counter naxalites | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work =Naxal Terror Watch | publisher = The Statesman, 26 Ocrober 2005] Deblina Hembram, the MLA of Ranibandh, is on the hit list of the Maoists. [cite web
url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060309/asp/bengal/story_5945808.asp
title = CPM builds cadre cocoon for leaders - When police are toothless, party issues advisory to campaigners in Maoist strongholds | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work = Naxal Terror Watch | publisher = The Telegraph, 9 May 2006]

Large segments in Bankura have tertiary links through the Kundalpahari jungle passage used by Maoist ultras for the last few years. The police say that NGOs have not dared to venture there. Dense forests dissuade even villagers from using the passage. According to police, ultras have taken advantage of the fact. The jungle under Belpahari range of Paschim Medinipur is believed to be the epicentre of Maoist invasion during squad movements. [cite web
url = http://naxalwatch.blogspot.com/2005/10/health-camps-child-education-centres.html | title =Health camps, child education centres to counter naxalites | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work =Naxal Terror Watch | publisher = The Statesman, 26 Ocrober 2005]

Economy

Forest

The forest in the Ranibandh region is spread over a dozen hills, as the Kangsabati River meanders through the hills and forests. Sal, mahua, shishu, kendu, palash and arjun trees are found in abundance. Lodging facilities are available at the Ranibandh Forest Rest House and the Zilla Parishad Bungalow. [cite web
url = http://www.india9.com/i9show/Ranibandh-Forest-28023.htm
title = Ranibandh Forest | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work =West Bengal | publisher = india9,com]

Wood is used as fuel by around 60% of the people in the district. Lac and tassar host tree plantation in forest areas. About 200 tonnes of lac is produced in the district, employing some 17,000 people, mostly Adivasis. [cite web
url = http://www.bankura.org/SITE/Forest.htm | title = Forestry at a Glance | accessdate = 2008-03-22 | last = | first = | work = | publisher =www.bankura.org]

References

ee also