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dam-l 2000+ arrested, 25 hospitalized at Maheshwar
Maheshwar update from Shripad/Sukumar, Narmada Bachao Andolan, April 23, 1998
OVER 2000 ARRESTED AT MAHESHWAR SITE
People once again occupy dam site - brutal beatings and massive arrests by
the police
The struggle in Maheshwar continued today as over 800 men and women once
again dodged the police barricades and occupied the dam site. The
occupation took place in broad daylight showing the complete command of the
people on the local terrain. The police had arrested all the 1500 or so
people who had remained at the dam site yesterday evening.
Today the people, determined to regain the occupation, launched the march
at about 10.30 a.m. Dodging the police barricades the people reached the
dam site and stuck the NBA flag into the soil. Then the state showed its
brutal face. Within 10 minutes of the occupation, the police arrived in
some strength, and without any warning or provocation launched a brutal
assault on the people. The police started beating the people with batons,
rifle butts, and also stampeded horses (by a few mounted police). The
police with batons, rifles and horses chased the people for almost half a
kilometer, repeatedly beating and abusing them. At least 14 people with
grievous injuries have been admitted to the hospital by the police, and
over 500 arrested. Some firing in the air also took place with the intent
to scare the people. It is learnt that there were many others who were
badly beaten and have not been admitted to the hospital but taken to jail.
With this, over 2000 people are in jail, and over 25 in the hospital.
Stories of brutality on women and men are still coming in. Work is
proceeding (albeit haltingly) under massive police protection. The State
has shown its brutal face - trying to callously beat the people into
submission. However, the people are determined to continue their struggle
and stop the work at the dam site.
* * *
To protest the police brutality at the Maheshwar dam site, send messages
to: Shri Digvijai Singh, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, Fax +91
755 540 501.
Peter Bosshard
Berne Declaration