Mafia Usurp Dalit Land In Angul Dist, Administration Remains Silent

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Members of Dalit communities in Kuio Jungle under Banarpal block in Angul district in Odisha alleged that mafias have usurped their land in connivance with influential persons who have good rapport with revenue officials. Over 45 people belonging to Dalit families have alleged that most of their landholdings are leased out to influential persons who are rich and powerful and connected with the corridor of power. Mithun Behera, Prashant Behera and Kanhu Charan Behera who organized a rally participated by the affected families to protest against the injustice urged revenue officials in Angul district to take action against the mafia. They said they will resort to agitation if the administration delays action.

There are reports that members of Dalit community in Angul have been facing discrimination on the basis of their caste like other regions of Odisha. We are living in the 21st century but the position of Dalits in our society is no better than what it was during the pre-independence days in our country, social activists working for uplift of Dalits and marginalized communities in Angul district opined. The activists said industrialization has further worsened their situation as people from upper caste try to takeover the  landed property of Dalits by influencing them in various ways. They are punished in Kangaroo courts for negligible offences or banished from the society, they said and added that their only fault is that they belong to a lower caste strata. They are subjected to inhuman treatment and violence on the slightest pretext, the social activists added.

The most recent example of atrocities against Dalits is Dharakote incident in Ganjam district in Odisha. The incident has shocked everybody in the state how two persons from Dalit community were scandalized in public. Media reports said both of them were subjected to inhuman treatment by forcing to drink sewerage water. The media reports also said that one's head was half tonsured and face blemished with black colour. Meanwhile, Convenor of Odisha BJD SC Cell Mahesh Sahu, has written to the Director General of Police to take immediate action against the perpetrators who have committed heinous crime in Dharakote in Ganjam district.

This is a common practice among the upper classes to deny land rights to Dalits in most parts of the country. Dalit communities in Angul district continue to  face hardships due to massive industrialization. A number of open cast coal mines have already eaten up their land and most of them fail to get due compensation in the form of money or employment. Industrialization has thrown a massive challenge to their survival as mafia are eyeing to usurp their land and sell at a exorbitant prices to prospective buyers to make huge profits. 

Satkosia Villagers In Angul District Question Intension Behind Relocation

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Villagers in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary have come down to the streets of district headquarters town in Angul in Odisha to protest against relocation of villages which is allegedly done by the wildlife division in the guise of protection of environment and conservation of biodiversity. Over five hundred men, women and children under the banner of Bhitamati Jana Jiban Surakhsha Committee have recently gheraoed Angul District Collectorate to protest against illegal relocation of villages in Satkosia. They have presented a memorandum containing 9-point charter of demands to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, through additional district magistrate Uday Kumar Mohapatra, urging him to put a halt to relocation of villages in the name of conservation in Satkosia region.

The nine point charter of demands includes protection of their crops and vegetation and houses from attacks by wild animals, utilization of fund deposited with Environmental Development Committee (EDC) for developmental activities in villages, allowing fishing activities for the communities living on the banks of river Mahanadi to earn their living and improvement of mobile network facilities in Satkosia.

Mass protest by villagers of Satkosia under the banner of Bhitamati Jana Jiban Suraksha Committee in front of Angul Collectorate against relocation  

President of Bhitamati Jana Jiban Surakhsha Committee, Bidyadhar Pradhan, Vice President Trinath Sahu and Tikarpada Sarpanch Soumyaranjan Sahu alleged that in the name of Project Tiger, the wildlife division in Angul has been trying to dislodge people from their ancestral homes giving a meager Rs 20 lakh per family as compensation. This sum is not adequate to go to other places and live a decent life with family, the members said.There is no tiger in Satkosia and the wildlife division has failed to convert the sanctuary into a habitat where Royal Bengal Tigers(RBTs) can survive, the Surakhsha Committee members alleged. Earlier, the wildlife division had experimented with RBTs like Mahaveer and Sundari, but failed miserably. The male tiger, Mahaveer, died under suspicious circumstances and tigress Sundari turned ferocious killing cattle in Satkosia wildlife sanctuary. The tigress was eventually sent back to Bandhavgarh sanctuary from where it was brought. The Project Tiger idea in Satkosia virtually came to an end with the exit of tigress Sundari.            

The Satkosia wildlife sanctuary is not only a home to rare species and flora and fauna, but tribal communities also regard this forest region as their exclusive place where they can thrive. The tribal people are deeply attached to the sanctuary, but of late they are disturbed by the threat of relocation. The people of Tikarpada, Karadapada, Ramimunda and Majhipada who are mostly tribals, believe that the lush green forest has merged into their life and it is in their lifeblood.The forest is everything for them. They get firewood, get fish from the largest river of Odisha, Mahanadi, that passes through their region. Shifting to other places leaving behind their ancestral home and hearth will be suicidal for them, the Bhitamati Jana Jiban Suraksha Committee members alleged and gave example of New Raiguda how relocation has become a curse for the villagers.

Worthwhile to mention here that villagers of erstwhile Raiguda situated in the core area of Satkosia wildlife sanctuary were relocated to a place near Nuakheta some years ago, but there are allegations that most of the inhabitants in the new colony set up by the forest department lack basic facilities. People of Satkosia have been protesting for several years to put a halt to the relocation drive undertaken by the wildlife division by simply doling out Rs 20 lakh per family. There are allegations that in most cases innocent tribal people have been forced to toe the line of forest officials and leave for other places to live as nomadic.

Wildlife officials argued that settlements inside core areas in Satkosia will disturb species and their breeding will be hampered. The human settlements inside the area will also encourage animal-man tussle which will not be beneficial for conservation of biodiversity in Satkosia. They said the only solution left is to relocate the villagers with compensation and let the wildlife species have their own natural way to live inside the forest. 

BJP-BJD Rivalry Over Medical College Issue Not To Favour Angul,Talcher People

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

As petty politics over the commencement of Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital has begun, Angul district administration in Odisha has clamped section 163 to discourage rallies or protest march in Talcher region. The prohibitory measure has been imposed on the entire stretch starting from Talcher FCI square to Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital square, banning protest movements or mass dharna from June 17 to July 16, during which period a high level team from National Medical Commission (NMC) is expected to visit Talcher to oversee the feasibility of its commencement.

The administration's move was necessitated after Talcher Medical College Action Committee had decided to stage a mass protest in front of Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital  demanding its early commencement. However, the Action Committee members withdrew their strike after the imposition of section 163.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rudranarayan Pani has alleged that Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is politicizing the issue to send a confusing message to the people over commencement of Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital. Pani said BJD did nothing for early commissioning of the medical college during its tenure and added that the medical project was left to rot for years. The Dhenkanal BJP MP told reporters that his party will fulfill the promise given to the local people for early commencement of the medical college in Talcher.

BJD-BJP Rivalry

Both BJD and BJP treats the medical college project as an opportunity to consolidate their electoral prospects in Talcher region which is an industrial hub in Dhenkanal Parliamentary constituency.  The issue has electoral implications as the BJD candidate lost to BJP's Rudra Narayan Pani in fierce fight in 2024 election. Therefore, BJD has no other way than to play with the sentiments of Talcher people by diluting the issue, political observers said. They said BJD was dilly dallying the medical college project for years and virtually kept the people of Talcher guessing about its commencement. The observers said BJD is trying its best to keep the loyalty base of its voters in Talcher region intact. Ever since BJP wrested power from BJD unseating Naveen Patnaik who had ruled Odisha for 24 years, the saffron party has been rebranding all the projects undertaken by the latter. In the case of medical college project in Talcher, BJP is also trying its best to take full credit for it by implementing the project at the earliest.

As local netas fight over the commencement of the medical college, the aspiring students of the region who have qualified for NEET with good all India rank are equally worried over their career prospects. No body knows when the high level delegation of NMC will oversee the infrastructure and other facilities as no exact date has been announced to the effect. Sources said the district administration is also in the dark about the team's visit. However, there is a possibility that team will visit soon, the sources added. As NEET results are already out and a number of talented students from Angul-Talcher region who have successfully cracked this examination aspriring to take admission into medical degree course, the delay in commencement of their medical college in the region has discouraged them. Knowledgeable sources said that NMC's delay in supervision of infrastructural facilities will impact on the admission prospects in the academic year.      

The medical college and hospital has been named after the freedom fighter Pabitra Mohan Pradhan of Talcher. The sooner the medical college is commissioned, the better it will be for the people of Angul-Talcher industrial area who are exposed to air and water pollution. People will not have to make a beeline for hospitals in cities like Cuttack and Bhubaneswar for treatment.

Diarrhoea Outbreaks In Six Odisha Districts, Death Toll Rises To 17, Over 2000 Affected

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

The death toll related to diarrhoea in Jajpur district in Odisha is increasing day by day. Official data said so far seventeen deaths have occurred due to diarrhoea, but unconfirmed reports indicated the toll will be much higher. Reports said over two thousand people have been affected with diarrhoea so far.The Odisha government has placed all 30 districts on high alert following diarrhoea outbreak that started from Jajpur district and has now spread to five other districts of the state.

Odisha Health Secretary  Aswathy S said a high alert has been sounded in all the thirty districts of Odisha following the outbreak of diarrhoea in Jajpur and adjoining districts. The Health Secretary said 300 fresh cases of diarrhoea have been reported in five most affected districts of the state and added that the patients were put under round the clock observation. The state health machinery is in constant touch with the central team. Odisha government said that the situation is not out of control as made out to be by some vested interest groups, but admitted that ten percent of those tested have cholera infection.

Meanwhile, the situation is going to be worse as diarrhoea is spreading to adjoining districts such as Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Keonjhar  and Dhenkanal. The Central Team currently investigating into the reasons for outbreak of diarrhoea in the above mentioned districts has now confirmed that intake of contaminated water is the main cause behind the epidemic. However, Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling had earlier said the cause of outbreak of diarrhoea was not identified, but guessed that it could be either due to contamination of water or eating rotten food or may be something else. Outbreak of diarrhoea started in the second week of this month in Jajpur district and soon catapulted into a major health crisis and is going to grip a major part of Odisha. Some reports even suggested about symptoms of cholera found with the affected persons.

Media reports said Dharmasala, Danagadi, Korei, Binjharpur  and Vyasanagar are most affected with diarrhoea. The local health infrastructure has failed to cope with the health emergency due to shortage of doctors and other health staff.Meanwhile, health teams have started sanitizing water sources such as overhead tanks particularly in rural areas of Jajpur district where the situation has gone from bad to worse. Media reports said more than one lakh water sources have been disinfected and the process is on a war footing. The Jajpur district administration has banned public feasts and shops selling fast food as a precautionary measures to put a break on the spread of diarrhoea. Doctors said those who are affected with cholera must be treated immediately as even slightest negligence can be risky.They said if a patient affected with cholera is not treated immediately, then he or she might die due to dehydration.

Odisha Government Response:

Although Odisha's Mohan Majhi government has come under severe criticism for not taking immediate measues to contain the spread of diarrhoea, the health department, although lately, has geared up activities in the form of awareness campaigns and setting up of detection centres in vulnerable areas for health check ups. Mobile medical teams have fanned out to different parts of Jajpur and other adjoining districts of the state to treat patients and distribute oral rehydration solution sachets. A large group of Acredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers have been roped in for disinfecting water sources. The central health team that visited Jajpur district recently to go into details what led to the spread of diarrhoea has submitted its full report on the matter. However, the team had come under severe criticism for underestimating the severity of the situation when multiple deaths have occurred. Meanwhile, the former chief minister and opposition leader Naveen Patnaik has come down heavily on Mohan Majhi government for not acting immediately to contain the spread of diarrhoea in most parts of the state. Patnaik has urged the government to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to contain the outbreak of diarrhoea and prevent untimely death.

Possible Causes:

There have been allegations that the overhead tanks might have the primary cause of diarrohea infection as they were never cleaned since they were built. Most of the overhead tanks meant for storing potable water were not properly built either. One can see openings in the overhead tanks through which insects can enter inside and contaminate water. Although the government has claimed that nearly one lakh water sources have been cleaned and disinfected in a week in the affected districts, a lot more has to be done to ward off the crisis.

The mango season has also contributed to the outbreak of diarrhoea. During scorching heat, with the mercury rising upto 48 degree Celsius in most parts of Odisha, people in rural areas often prefer to eat ripe mangoes to stay cool. Villagers in most parts of Odisha believe that excessive intake of mango juice during summer season might have its repercussions in monsoon when rain comes. The seasonal change becomes detrimental for most people who suffer from dysentery and diarrhoea. The other reason of contamination of water sources and bodies might be the open defecation which is mostly done in rural regions of Odisha.

With Rath Yatra(Car Festival) round the corner, the outbreak of diarrhoea and cholera in most parts of Odisha has put the government machinery in a tight spot. As this religious festival is widely held in Odisha and attracts large number of devotees who throng roads to pull chariots and have darshan of Lord Jagannath,Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra, transmission level of diarrhoea could acquire epidemic proportions.     

Safety Of Elephants-A Prime Concern In Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Deaths of elephants in Tikarpada and Pampasar forest ranges under Angul Wildlife Division have once again raised serious question on safety of these animals in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary. The elephants are regarded by wildlife experts, environmentalists and nature lovers as important species for maintaining the ecological balance as they act as agents for dispersing seeds and shaping the biodiversity. But, unfortunately these mammals are not safe in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Angul district in Odisha.

Causes Of Death:

One of the primary threats to elephant safety in Satkosia is electrocution. Reports said over fifty  elephants have lost their lives due to electrocution in Odisha that occurred between 2014 and 2025.  One can recall the horrible incident in 2018 at Kamalanga village in Dhenkanal district where seven elephants died after coming in contact with high tension 11 kV electric line. Although Odisha government has spent crores of rupees on revival of elephant corridors in different parts of the state including Satkosia, much headway has not been achieved in this regard to considerably reduce deaths due to electrocution.  

Bamboo forest declining in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary

Scarcity Of Food:

The staple food of elephants is bamboo. Bamboo species are on the decline in Satkosia over the years and one would hardly find a large patch of bamboo forest in the wildlife sanctuary in the present day. The loss of staple food along with habitat degradation have impacted on the decline of pachyderm, wildlife activists said. The activists said shortage of bamboo species have forced the elephants to roam in villages close to forest in search of food. Shortage of mango and jackfruit trees are also attributed to be the other reason for the elephants to look for food in nearby villages. However, no forest official including Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in Angul Wildlife Division, do not agree with the fact that the sanctuary has dwindling reserve of staple food like bamboo for elephants. The officials maintained that they have taken up bamboo plantation in some parts of Satkosia. They, however, said that the deciduous nature of Satkosia forest has also forced the elephants to go elsewhere in search of food occasionally.

Poor Patrolling:

Inadequate patrolling, mostly during night, is one of the causes why so many electrocution deaths occur in Satkosia forest under Angul Wildlife Division in Odisha. The other factor, what the wildlife activists said, is gross violation of accountability among forest officials. There are allegations that the forest officials failed to maintain cohesion with electric department for coordination to minimize electrocution deaths in the sanctuary. Joint patrolling by forest and electrical staff is often irregular and therefore not being able to adequately monitor the movement of elephants in vulnerable zones where high tension overhead electric lines have passed, the social activists said. 

Habitat Restoration:

Forest officials in Angul Wildlife Division maintained that afforestation projects have been taken up in different regions of Satkosia to grow natural forest cover as part of the effort for habitat restoration. But, wildlife activists who are working for conservation of biodiversity in Satkosia said the afforestation projects with plantations are not taken extensively and added that habitat restoration in Satkosia could not be possible with such small scale programmes. They alleged that nothing fruitful has been done to prevent deaths of elephants due to electrocution. The first and foremost task is to prevent electrocution but the department seems to be little concerned over the matter, the activists alleged.

Call To Action:

The Wildlife Division must take long term measures for conservation of natural habitats of elephants in Satkosia by raising bamboo forest and fruit bearing trees like mango and jackfruit. Plantation should not be done for raising trees which are commercially viable. Natural forests with species like bamboo will be beneficial for the jumbos who will not face shortage of food in the future. But, to counter the immediate threat of electrocution, the department must urge the local electric wing to replace the existing overhead wires with insulation passing over elephant corridors for safety of the animals. The wildlife wing must take up awareness drives in villages in Satkosia and in the peripheral regions to educate people about protection of elephants and such an act will become beneficial for nature. As media plays an important role in advocacy, Satkosia Wildlife Division should work closely with those news outlets which are covering environment, wildlife and nature issues for spreading awareness among the people. They can be of great help to boost the awareness campaigns conducted by the Wildlife Division to provide moral support and authenticity. If such measures are implemented with sincerity and right earnest, then electrocution or poaching of elephants will be a thing of the past and Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary. The wildlife officials in Angul forest division should hope for converting Satkosia as a model conservation center for elephants in India by initiating fruitful measures for reducing mortality rate of the animals. The sooner we understand that the existence of elephants are essential for the  ecosystem, the better it will be us and the humanity.

Uniqueness Of Raja Parba (Raja Festival) In Odisha

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

The celebration of three-day Raja Parba (Raja festival) from June (Ashadha) 14 to 16 in Odisha signifies womanhood and rejuvenation of Mother Earth. 'Rajas' in Sanskrit means menstruation. The festival, also known as Raja Sankranti, is unique as it is directly related to womanhood and fertility which are key component of reproduction system in the universe. It is widely believed that Mother Earth awaits eagerly to the onset of monsoon to cool itself from the scorching heat during summer. Raja Parba also heralds the agriculture season in Odisha. It is believed that like a woman, the mother earth also goes through the process of menstruation, and gets cooled down after showers following onset of rainy season. In this way Raja Parba resonates around the theory that it is equivalent to the reproduction system in agriculture like the humans. The three day Raja Sankranti is divided into Pahili Raja(First Raja), Raja Sankranti(Mithuna Sankranti) and Basi Raja(Last Day).

Delicious Poda Pitha (Roasted Cake)

Poda Pitha: Womenfolks in Odisha toil for a week before the beginning of Raja Parba like cleaning household articles and making arrangements for Poda Pitha (Roasted Cake) which is the most delicious item in Raja Festival. Poda Pitha(Roasted Cake) is a traditional dish prepared in Odisha during Raja celebration. In Odia, 'Poda' means burnt and 'Pitha' means cake. The cake is prepared from fermented rice, black gram (Biri in Odia), molasses (Guda) and coconut(Nadia). The ingredients of rice, coconut, jaggery and biri batter are blended into right quantities to be roasted on ovens. Homemakers in Odisha also prepare other delicious items like Manda Pitha, Arisha and Chakuli to be eaten in these three days while indulging in fun and merrymaking. All the cakes have the common ingredient of rice flour. In the past, before the introduction of cooking gas, most households in Odisha were roasting the cake over chullhas (wood-fire ovens). Fire woods in small pieces were used to burn in the chullahs. But, the chullahs are now thing of the past as gas stoves and induction cookers have taken their place. This Poda Pitha is a favourite dish of Lord Jagannath in Puri.

Womenfolks do not do household chores during the three-day celebration and enjoy Swings ('Doli' called in Odia), all through the day and evening. Without Swings, celebration of Raja Parba is meaningless. As the festival is held in honour of womanhood, young girls and women enjoy the three-day rest period like our mother earth which rests before the onset of monsoon. Women and girls in Odisha are forbidden to perform household chores during the celebration of Raja  and therefore they spend their time on Swings clad in new clothes.

In some parts of Odisha, folk dances are staged accompanied by cultural festivities to mark the celebration of Raja Parba. Although Raja Festival is purely dedicated to women and exclusively their own, men also take the opportunity to showcase their mastery over skills in different sporting activities like Kabadi, the game that demands sheer intelligence and power. Kabaddi is a game played between two groups in open fields near mango orchards or open courtyards in villages. This game is played bare foot. Both the teams compete with each other for tagging the opponents by holding their breathe and chanting kabadi..kabadi.

Uniqueness:  Community bonding is the core essence of Raja Parba. Unity in diversity also plays important role during the festival as villagers contribute their might to conduct fairs and cultural activities to mark the celebration to make it a grand success in every respect. Indian society is replete with taboos, but Odisha stands out apart from rest of the country during Raja Parba as it does not consider menstruation as a taboo. This is very rare in India. People of Odisha relate the feminine community to mother earth and acclaim their role in creation in high esteem. The Raja Parba symbolizes deep rooted connection with nature and heritage. It is heartening to note that Odisha is still retaining the rustic mosaic with the celebration of Raja Parba despite the advent of modern day culture and technological advancement. Celebration of womanhood and life cycles of nature is a unique feature of Raja Parba in Odisha and this is not found anywhere in the world.

Chit Fund Scam: One Year Gone, Odisha Govt Fails To Refund Money To Investors

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Nearly 70 lakh investors who were cheated by Chit Fund agencies in Odisha for years, are yet to get justice. No one knows about the outcome of one-man commission headed by Justice Madan Mohan Das, investigating into the ponzi scam since July 2013 during Naveen Patnaik regime in Odisha. The commission's tenure has ended in February 2020. Top leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during their campaign for election in 2024 had promised to book those involved in ponzi scam if they got the mandate to rule Odisha. But, one year has elapsed ever since it was promised and no action has been taken against the fraudsters. The Odisha government headed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is yet to take necessary action against the culprits. Jamakari Milita Manch, the joint front which is spearheading the movement to give justice to victims of Chit Fund, at a meeting in Bhubaneswar recently, has threatened to resort to agitation if the government fails to take immediate action against the fraudsters.   

What Is Chit fund?

This is a savings and borrowing scheme which is being adoped in different parts of Odisha by groups and communities, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas, where people get less access to bank or financial institutions.  But, the trouble began when the market was taken over by people with dubious character who promised doubling and even tripling of deposits attracting huge number of investors and enventually got duped.The Chit Fund agencies like Saradha Group, Artha Tatwa, Seashore, Rose Valley and Green Ray International offered high returns against their deposits in a few months. This ploy used by the Chit Fund companies worked well as they could successfully target the low income group, petty traders and investors who are swayed away by the promise of earning a lot of money. While Saradha Group duped nearly 17 lakh investors by collecting Rs 3,500 cr from Odisha, Seashore Group swindled people with promises of high returns. Chit Fund companies like Rose Valley, Green Ray International and Golden Land duped scores of gullible investors in Odisha by taking away over Rs 3000 crore simply doling out false promises for doubling the invested amount in a short span.

How People Were Cheated?

Studies have indicated that lack of financial education is the main cause responsible why people are cheatd by Chit Fund companies.These studies, which were based on surveys participated by a large number of affected persons, further said the tricks used by the chit fund operators for doubling and tripling of their investments are the driving force behind their concurrence to invest their hard earned money. Involvement of media and political people in Odisha also encouraged the bosses of Chit Fund companies to go on a cheating spree fearlessly. A number of BJD MLAs were involved in ponzi scams during Naveen Patnaik regime in the state. Likewise, owners of some language daily news outlets in Odisha were also involved in promoting the cause of Chit Fund scamsters. As the media was involved, the Chit Fund agencies got the much needed mileage, and at the same time people in rural sector believed that these are legitimate agencies upon whom they can trust.

Refund Strategy:

The then BJD government headed by Naveen Patnaik in Odisha set up a corpus fund of Rs 300 cr in 2013 to refund money to those who had incurred a loss of Rs 10,000 or less. Nearly 95,000 small depositors were identified by the government for refund of their money they have lost to fraudsters. To expedite the process, the government launched a website allowing the affected persons for submission of their claims. But, till date nothing has been done to mitigate the sufferings of people affected by the Chit Fund companies. The present dispensation in Odisha headed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi should take immediate action for digitizing and early disposal of pending applications. It is the responsibility of the government of the day to regulate stricter policies to discourage Chit Fund companies to flourish again in the state. People of Odisha have voted the present government to power to break the unholy nexus between politicians, media and swindlers responsible for the scam.