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DAM-L PR: Police Atrocity on Visitor to NBA (fwd)
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Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 11:29:26 -0700 (PDT)
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subject: PR: Police Atrocity on Visitor to NBA
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Press Release
14.10.2000
NBA Condemns Police Atrocities on Tribal Youth
The Narmada Bachao Andolan strongly condemns the police atrocities on
a tribal youth who has been staying with the NBA since July this
year. The tribal youth, Kishore Minj, was forcibly taken by the
police in Kevadia Colony yesterday evening at 8 p.m. under the
pretext of questioning, was threatened, abused with bad words and
beaten up by the DSP. He was kept in the police station, forcibly and
illegally till 2.30 a.m. in the morning and only then released. NBA
strongly condemns this serious violation of the fundamental rights
and demands immediate action against the concerned police officials.
The tribal youth, Kishore Minj has been staying with the NBA with a
view to learn about the problems of the tribals in this area and also
how the tribals have been fighting for their own rights. He is among
the hundreds of youths who visit the NBA for long or short durations
to witness and support this non-violent and peaceful struggle of the
people of the Narmada Valley from all over the country.
Yesterday evening, as he was sitting in Kothi village, a police jeep
came and asked him to come to the police station. He refused, saying
that any questions could be asked to him there itself. He was then
forcibly taken to the police station where several police officials
including one Mr. Rajkumar (DSP Narmada District) and several
policemen were there. He was thoroughly abused and severely
questioned about the NBA, about NBA programs, the movements of Medha
Patkar among other things. Even after he had told all that he knew,
he was beaten by lathi by Mr. Rajkumar, and asked to give more
details. He was also asked as to why he has come here and was
threatened that he should provide all information to the police. He
was dropped back only at 2.30 am. He was kept standing most of the
time and was not even given water.
This is not a unique incident. Since over a month and half or so, the
police have taken up harassment of NBA activists and even visitors in
Kevadia colony. Visitors are questioned by police, unnecessarily
detained for hours and harassed in other ways. Even the traditional
route of the villagers who are affected by the Sardar Sarovar dam has
been blocked under the pretext that it passes over the dam site.
Since there is no other way for these people to come to the market
and access the bazaar, hospital etc. the police has no right to block
them from using this road. Mr. Kishore himself has also been targeted
before this.
This is nothing but a crude attempt by the police and the Government
to intimidate and suppress the non-violent and peaceful agitation of
the people of the Narmada Valley. It is also a deliberate attempt to
suppress the fundamental rights of the people like Kishore Minj, and
the people of the valley of freedom of expression and other rights
given to them by the Constitution. The NBA condemns this and will
oppose these illegal attempts to suppress the fundamental rights of
the people by all means available to it. NBA calls for immediate
halt to the police repression and action against the officials
responsible.
M.K. Sukumar,
Narmada Bachao Andolan
_____________________________________________
NBA, B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Baroda, Gujarat-390007 INDIA.
Phone & Fax :91- 265-382232 -Email: baroda@narmada.org
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