India's energy needs and development imperatives mandate an increase in power generation which at the current time is largely dependent on fossil fuel. The discourses surrounding development in these contexts subsume the rights of forest dwelling people to the necessities of power generation and therefore to coal mines. This article discusses the responses of a community of adivasis in Chhattisgarh to the imminent takeover of their land for new mines. The article then discusses the ramifications of ignoring the displacement of these people and the loss of their land and livelihoods and sets out some policy recommendations to remediate the impact of land acquisition through the strengthening of already existing laws and Government Acts. It calls for a holistic look at India's energy sources, methods to ensure compliance with compensation awarded, clarification of some parts of the Lands Acquisition Act and the speedy implementation of Community Forest Rights under the Forest Rights Act. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.