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dam-l LS: PR - Decrease In Narmada Water Level
Press Release/ 21.7.99
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park
Baroda-390007(0265-382232)
SLIGHT DECREASE IN BACKWATER LEVEL IN NARMADA: THREAT REMAINS
SATYAGRAHIS READY TO FACE SUBMERGENCE
Students In Mumbai Demand Opening of Sluices, Compensation
Though the level of the backwaters of the Sardar Sarovar Project has
decreased on Wednesday (July 21), the danger of imminent submergence of
the Satyagraha villages is still continuing. The 'Samarpit Dal' [Dedicated
Squad] of the
Narmada valley is all set to confront the unjust submergence in Domkhedi
and Jalsindhi villages. Meanwhile, the number of people from other
villages in the valley arriving in the Satayagraha villages has been
steadily increasing.
The backwater started rising alarmingly on Monday and Tuesday, due to
continuous
rain in the reservoir area and upper catchment. On Tuesday, the water level
at Hafeshwar,
the approach point to the Satyagraha villages, was at 97 meters,
while at the dam site it was 90.35 m. On Wednesday morning water receded
slightly. Yet the villages are threatened. The fields in Jalsindhi,
Ankadiya ( M.P.) and other villages including Surung, Piplachop, and
Bharad were partially submerged. The Satyagrahis made it clear that the
government would be responsible for all the damages to the land, houses
and lives of the people.
In another significant development, the Maharahstra Minister for
resettlement, Mr. Jaiprakash Mundada, has conceded that
the state would ask the Supreme Court for an extension in order to present
the factual position regarding resettlement. The Court hearing will be on
July 22.
The minister was discussing the situation arising out of the submergence of
Maharashtra villages with student NBA supporters in Mumbai.
The students took out an impressive march in the city on Tuesday (July 20th)
against the unjust submergence in the Narmada Valley. They demanded that
the state
government must direct the Gujarat government to open the sluices of the
dam to lessen the tragedy of submergence. The students demanded that
the state government must own up to their responsibility for the unjust
submergence this year and must pay compensation to the families whose
crops and/or houses would be partially or fully submerged this monsoon. The
Minister assured them that Maharashtra would announce such a policy after
verifying the situation.
The students demanded that the Chief Minister visit the resettlement sites
and submergence area along with the people's organisations and revise its
stand in the court regarding displacement and resettlement. The students also
demanded that, like the government of Madhya Pradesh, the Maharashtra
government
should also ask for the constitution of a new inter-state tribunal and
reassessment of
the Sardar Sarovar project as it was not in the interests of people and
resources of the state.
In Madurai, on July 19, about 300 students, intelligentsia, and social
activists held a day-long dharana [protest] and observed fast in support
of the
struggle in the Narmada valley. Arasardi Human Rights Forum and National
Alliance of People's Movement (Tamil Nadu) have resolved that there should be
a new tribunal to review the Sardar Sarovar Project. Noted social
thinker Dr. Asgarali Engineer, Dr. Dhyanchand Carr and Philip Matthew
highlighted the significance of the Narmada Satyagraha and the
seriousness of the situation.
There will be a torchlight procession in support of the Narmada struggle
in in Hyderabad on July 21st. Similar programmes are being taken
in many parts of India.
Sanjay Sangvai