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dam-l Maheshwar Update 10 April 1998
>
>Dear Friends,
>
>The following is an update on the Maheshwar Project.
>
>Shripad
>10 April 1998
>
>Blasting and Other Work Starts at Maheshwar Dam Site
>NBA Prepares to Launch Intense Struggle against the Betrayal By
>Government
>
>___________________________
>
>The work on the Maheshwar site began with all intensity as the
>contractors resumed blasting at the dam site from 7 April 1998 under
>police protection and enforcement of prohibitory orders under Sec. 144.
>The NBA has condemned this total betrayal by the Government which has
>gone back on its assurance of reviewing the project with complete
>stoppage of work. NBA has announced that it will launch an intense
>struggle to stop the work on the dam site. A big meeting of all the
>village representatives is going on today to finalise the strategy and
>action plan.
>
>Meanwhile, police have filed an FIR (First Information Report) against
>senior NBA activists Alok Agarwaal and Chittaroopa Palit, and local
>leader Mahadev Patidar and about 100 others for violating prohibitory
>orders. Some of these had gone to the dam site to inspect the status of
>work. On reaching the dam site, they found the owners and officials of
>S.Kumars in about eight cars already there. Since prohibitory orders ban
>the assembly of more than 4 persons, the people assumed that the
>prohibitory orders had been lifted and went to the site, questioned the
>official and shouted slogans. Because of this, they are now charged
>with violating the prohibitory orders. NBA has demanded that S.Kumars -
>who too assembled in strength of more than four should also be charged.
>
>People have already formally and through press warned the Government to
>stop the work immediately. It may be recollected that the work had been
>stopped under an agreement between the NBA and Govt. of MP after the
>occupation of dam site in January. It seems that there is enormous
>pressure from the financiers of the project and S.Kumars, afraid of
>losing the financing are pressuring the Government to allow
>construction. The people have also set up "people's check points" at the
>roads leading to the dam site, and are turning back vehicles carrying
>labourers and equipment for the dam. Such a vigil is now being
>maintained at two check points since last five days. However, with the
>machinery that has already reached the dam site, the blasting and other
>work has been started. The company is constructing a "protection wall"
>which is in reality a huge embankment 240 m long and over 14 m wide and
>21 m high.
>
>The people are determined not to allow construction and will launch a
>intense struggle to stop the same. It seems clear that a major
>confrontation is on the cards as the State may use full repressive
>measures to stop this action of the people.
>
>The Chief Minister of MP Shri Digvijay Singh is scheduled to visit Baba
>Amte, noted social worker staying in the SSP submergence area on 13
>April 1998. The purpose of the visit is to discuss the Maheshwar issue.
>However, since the Government has allowed the work to start at the site,
>it is not likely that the visit may yield much, unless there is public
>pressure on the Government.
>
>ACTION ALERT
>
>We urge you to send urgent faxes / telegrams to the CM telling him that
>the work should be immediately stopped, police withdrawn and the review
>process continued as per the Government's promise of 30 Jan.
>
>Digvijay Singh,
>Chief Minister, Govt. of MP,
>Vallabh Bhavan, Bhopal
>+91-755-540 501