On what they have done to the coal industry, and the people /environment of Jharkhand spanning over 150 years. Circa 1775- the first coal mine was blasted in the Raniganj area. The indigenous people owned this coal rich land till the British Dispossessed them. Since 19th century, specially the World Wars and after, the railways were introduced and the extraction of coal began in a big way. These mine were owned by the private parties, who were engaged by ruthless exploiting the nature /human resource. Then came our tryst with destiny, and the story counties without any twist. 25 years after the independence- the Coal industry was nationalised and the situation worsened as the Mafia and corrupt bureaucrat ushered in an era of violent culture.

Today, while approximately Rs. 1000 crores goes to the government as royalty from the black diamond, four to five thousand crores is siphoned away as black money from the coal industry. The people, who owned these lands, are left to languish as no one talks about their plight. No rehabilitation, no compensation, no jobs. River Damodar is the most polluted river today.

The open mine literally on fire; there is no water and the land has turned totally infertile. From being owners of land the indigenous people are forced to turn into coal stealers in the eyes of the law.

The Fire Within draws a painful portrait of the transformation of the land of the Tana Bhagats; a sect of the oraon tribe who were beliverers of non-violence and Ganghian philosophy to a land witnessing violent Naxalite movement today.

At the same time it talks about the mafia, corruption, the energy politics, - how a peaceful area is declared a disturbed area. Now the whole area is under control of under ground Maoist gorilla groups.

A Film by Shriprakash