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dam-l LS: Hundreds to Protest Indian Government's Decision on SSP
Press Note and Call For Action
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Baroda, Gujarat
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Press Note/ March 24, 1999
HUMAN RIGHTS MARCH BY NARMADA OUSTEES FROM APRIL 1.
TO HIGHLIGHT THE ISSUE OF DISPLACEMENT AND FRAUD BY GOVT.
Hundreds of men and women from the villages from the Narmada valley will
be taking out a ëManavadhikar Yatraí ( Human Rights March) from April 1 to
challenge the state governments and the centre and appeal the people for
the right to life against the displacement and destitution at large. The
march will traverse some parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra before
holding demonstrations in Mumbai April 4-5 and in Delhi to confront the
government of Maharashtra and the Union Ministry of the Social Justice and
Empowerment for presenting the wrong information regarding the
displacement and resettlement of the tribals and peasants affected by the
Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP).
Apart from the representatives of affected people from the villages in
Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh the affected people from the other
dams in the Narmada valley - Bargi, Narmada Sagar, Maheshwar, Tawa, Man and
others- will be joining the march at Delhi. Number of representatives from
the peopleís organisations in Maharashtra will be a part of this ëyatraí.
Octogenarian Baba Amte, despite his ill health, will be going to Delhi
addressing the meetings on the way to raise the peopleís conscience against
the unjust displacement and destitution. The people will move with public
meetings, corner/street meetings, photo exhibition along the route. They
will start from Badwani ( M.P.) and from the tribal villages in the ranges
of Satpuda and Vindhya an proceed by holding major meetings at Shahada,
Dhule, Malegaon, Nashik and Thane.
Despite the adverse interim order permitting the raising the height of the
dam, the people in the valley are preparing for putting their issue of
life an death before the nation. The valley is abuzz with preparations for
the Yatra. The Bhil and Bhilala tribals alongwith the peasants in the
plains of Nimad ( M.P.) will be marching in number of vehicles . In all the
above places en route the organisation and support groups of Narmada Bachao
Andolan would welcome the yatra and later join it. Supporters from far off
places like Kerala or Bengal too will be a part of the march. The people
have decided to highlight, alongwith their own issue of unjust
displacement, the present and future dangers of displacement and
destitution of tribals, peasants, dalits, workers, landless and backwards
from all over the nation.
The people in the valley affected by the controversial Sardar Sarovar
project have decided in their meting in Jalsindhi ( March 6-7) to expose
the false claims of the government regarding the resettlement of the people
affected by the raising of the height of the dam upto 90 meters. Though the
Supreme Court has allowed the Gujarat government to raise the height upto
85 meters in its interim order on February 18. This was at a time when
the states have not been able to fully resettle those who have been already
displaced, nor have the lands and other resources to resettle the
prospective oustees. More important, the Narmada Bachao Andolan has filed
the public interest writ in the apex court challenging all the aspects of
the project and demanded the complete review of the project. In the final
hearing the Andolan had prayed the court to constitute the new tribunal to
look into all the issues raised during the last 14 years of the peopleís
movement.
On March 15, hundreds of people confronted the Collector and Additional
Commissioner (SSP) to show the lands which were claimed in the Supreme
Court to be existing. The officials could not show any land as all lands
were either claimed by earlier ëencroachersí or by those who were not
resettled but were displaced from 1992-94 onwards. The Deputy Collector
admitted clearly that there are no lands for resettlement as was claimed in
the affidavits of Maharashtra government in the Court. On March 16,
hundreds of tribals and peasants in Madhya Pradesh demonstrated in
Alirajpur and confronted the officials about the availability of the lad in
M.P. as claimed in the Court. When they did not get any satisfactory
answer, they shifted to Bhopal and confronted of Narmada Valley
Development Authority (NVDA).
" The peopleís movement in the Narmada valley has reached to the critical
stage, the outcome of which will be decisive for millions of people
fighting against displacement, unjust and unsustainable policies and
projects in the name of development," says the appeal issued by the Andolan
for the Yatra. The resistance to such unjust displacement becomes important
in the context of the increasing onslaught on the rights and resources of
the people from the national-international capital, companies and the state
that has also been helping these forces. The Andolan has appealed to all
the organisatons and movements fighting for the right to life and equality
to join the march.
SANJAY SANGVAI
*********************************
Call For Action
Manavadhikar Yatra
(Human Rights March)
Dear friends,
The recent Supreme Court interim order on February 18, in the matter of
Narmada, has yet again stirred up a discussion among the concerned on the
Judiciary's role in protecting the interests of the deprived and the
marginalised, in probing the ‘public purpose of large projects, and in
paving the way for sustainable, equitable alternatives. We are sure that
you are well aware about it. The interim order, confined only to the
rehabilitation aspect, which allowed the states to raise the height of the
dam from the present 80.3 meters to 85 meters, will result in irreparable
loss to the human communities and natural resources. A large part of the
tribal villages - in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat - will be
affected in the coming monsoon. This is at a time when the states are not
prepared enough to rehabilitate those affected at present, nor have any
readiness for it in the coming months and years. This is also at a time
when hundreds of families who have returned from the Rehabilitation sites -
because of the abysmal, uninhabitable conditions there - are yet to be
properly rehabilitated. The fact that the Government has no land to offer
for resettlement, despite the misleading information given in the Supreme
Court, by the states and Union of India, has been proved through mass
rallies and open discussions held with government authorities, demanding a
joint inspection of land and sites. You might have already received
news/reports on those actions and results (this is also well documented -
audio and video). While permitting the states to raise the height of dam,
the Court has simultaneously ordered the proper rehabilitation of all under
85 metres, a submission by the governments detailing the rehabilitation
plans for the families under 90 metres and a review of resettlement in
Gujarat till date.
The people of Narmada Valley, after struggling for last 14 years
are left
to face this sheer injustice at the hands of the system at large. The State
has been trying to displace the people through fraud and repression. The
tribal and farmer families are deprived of their lives and livelihood. The
people's movement in the Narmada valley thus has reached a critical stage,
the outcome of which will be decisive for millions of people fighting
against displacement, unsustainable and unjust policies and projects, in
the name of development. The time has come, therefore, for the people of
the valley to rise up with full support and participation of thousands all
over the country, not only from other river valleys but villages and cities
- wherever the struggle on development issues and displacement is on.
The men, women and children from hundreds of villages on the banks of
Narmada are determined to take the battle to the streets, once again. They
shall come out to convey to the civil society, not just to the callous,
repressive State but to the common people, the imposed destitution and
sealed fate of theirs. They have to fight this battle of life and death.
People from the Satpuda and Vindhya ranges - tribal villages in Maharashtra
and Madhya Pradesh, the "relocated" but not "rehabilitated" oustees from
Gujarat and the farmers-labourers from Nimad (Madhya Pradesh) will march on
the streets, crossing the towns and cities of Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra to Delhi.
The people coming from different points will meet at Shahada
(Maharashtra)
on April 1st to form a huge rally. They will go through the towns of Dhule,
Malegaon, Nasik and Thane (all in Maharashtra - by road) and will reach
Mumbai to challenge the Government of Maharashtra on their misleading
affidavits, claims and information given to the Court. The yatra will then
head towards Delhi (by trains), where at the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment the people will confront the officials who reported to the
Court that the states have rehabilitated all under 85 mts.- with land and
other amenities - and are ready for the ones coming under 90 mts. (A
tentative schedule of yatra is enclosed).
Affected people of other dams in Narmada Valley - Bargi, Narmada Sagar
Project, Maheshwar etc. – and some of the other people’s organisations will
be reaching Delhi straight, supporting the action and raising the issues of
displacement and destitution, at large. Other representatives of people’s
organisations, especially from Maharashtra, will be with the yatra
throughout.
Inspite of ill-health, Baba Amte will be with people, bringing to the
movement moral support and commitment to the cause with a firm belief of
his: "Just place for a just man in an unjust society is jail or death -
aspiring to court both, not afraid of either".
The programmes on the way will include public/street corner meetings,
photo exhibition, film show, press conference etc. The songs and slogans -
a part and parcel of the struggle - through out the yatra, will, of course,
empower the people.
As a close friend/supporter of NBA for the last many years, who
stood with
us in our difficult times, we call upon you once again to extend your
support to the movement. We appeal to you to come and join the thousands in
the yatra - from the beginning to the end. Please remember to carry the
banners and posters of your organisation. Before you start, please ensure
maximum publicity of the same in your area - through media and other ways.
Eminent persons of your area issuing statements in support of the cause
will help highlighting the issue. Your participation in the yatra will not
only strengthen the movement but will also pave way for the State to know
the intensity by which we all uphold the Right to Life and Livelihood.
We also appeal you to muster financial help for us. The huge
expenses for
the programme can be met only through the help of others. However small an
amount it may be for you, it will be a great relief for Andolan. In kind
too, you can help us. Food materials, grains, office stationary etc. will
be the most useful.
Volunteers, sparing a month or few weeks for Andolan, before and during
the yatra, will be of great help. They can support us in mobilisation and
planning and participate in the yatra - sharing the responsibilities.
For the people of Narmada valley, time has come again to fight with
their
only weapon - their lives - to save and protect life and not to succumb to
the immoral pressures of the system.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of Indian Constitution, has
emphasised the need to "educate, organise and struggle". He stressed the
right to equality for the downtrodden and depressed classes as the sure way
for democracy. This is Justice. To deny this right is contempt of Justice
as envisaged by Dr. Ambedkar and other architects, including Gandhiji, of
Freedom Movement.
We trust that you will be a part of this action, to strengthen the hands
of your tribal-farmer brethren, who are also part of this nation and whose
resources are part of the national wealth.
Once again the song echoes the valley - "Narmada ki ghati me ab ladai
jaari hai, chalo utho, chalo utho rokna vinash hai" (Struggle is on in the
Narmada valley. Rise up, destruction has to be stopped…)
In solidarity,
Prabhubahi Tadvi Noorji Padvi Vesta Dama Pavra Jaganath
Patidar Kamala Yadav
Bhaila Bhilala Shripad Dharmadhikari Alok Agarwal Sanjay Sangvai
Medha Patkar
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Programme Schedule of Yatra
People from Badwani (M.P.) will start on April 1st morning to reach Shahada
(the route will be Badwani-Anjad-Rajpur-Niwali-Khetia-Shahada). While
oustees from Gujarat resettlement sites will start on March 31st evening,
oustees from Maharashtra resettlement site will start on 1st morning.
People from Maharashtra villages will also start on 1st morning via
Dhadgaon. All these rallies will merge into yatra at Shahada.
Date Place Time Contact / Telephone
April 1st From Badwani 9 am NBA office / (07290)22464
Anjad-Rajpur-Niwali-Khetia 10 am - 5 pm
Shahada 6 pm
Stay at Dhule Shyam Patil / (02562) 34519
April 2nd Dhule 9 am
Malegaon & nearby places 2 pm onwards Dr.Sugan Baranth /
(0255)422121
Stay at Malegaon or Nasik
April 3rd Nasik & nearby places 9 am onwards Dr.Avinash Dhake /
(0253)313831
April 4th Thane Morning / Noon Sanjay M.G. / (022)5369724
Dadar (Mumbai) Evening - rally and other programmes Parvin
Jehangir /
(022)2184779 / 2185832
Stay at Dadar
April 5th Mumbai
Catching trains on 5th evening/night and 6th morning to Delhi
April 7th onwards - Dharna at Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
and other programmes. Vimal / (011)2256394
We need you to take part in the yatra from the beginning to the end. But if
you prefer to join it anywhere, you are welcome. You can reach Badwani on
March 31st night or April 1st early morning or Shahada / Dhule on April
1st. If you are coming by road, Badwani is 40 kms off Bombay-Agra highway
(11-13 hours from Bombay). Please get down at Julwania and you will get
buses to reach Badwani. If by train, please reach Baroda, Khandwa or
Indore. From these places, it is 4-6 hours of bus journey. At Badwani you
will not find difficult to locate our office [62, Mahatma Gandhi Road,
Badwani - Tel: (07290) 22464]. If you plan to reach Dhule, by road, it is
on the Bombay-Agra highway (9-10 hours from Bombay). If by train, you can
get down at Chalisgaon and take bus (2 hrs journey - train service between
Chalisgaon and Dhule is not frequent).
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