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dam-l LS: Narmada Floodwaters Enter Satyagraha Place: People Face Submergence
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Baroda-390007.
Press Release August 10, 1999
NARMADA FLOOODWATERS ENTER SATYAGRAHA PLACE: PEOPLE UNMOVED
Sitarambhai, Medha, Dadlya Vasave, Bawabhai, Others Face Submergence
The floodwater level of the Narmada rose sharply by six meters on the
afternoon of August 10, and continued to rise threatening the Satyagraha
place where the activists and villagers have been staying with the
determination to confront the submergence. By seven in the evening, the
waters entered the Satyagraha place at Domkhedi (Maharashtra) and were
approaching the satyagraha place in Jalsindhi (M.P.). By now, the rising
waters must have submerged both locations where Medha Patkar, Sitaram
Patidar, Bawa Muhariya and many other Satyagrahis have been camping to
face the Sardar Sarovar waters.
According to information received from Badwani, the water level is about
one foot short of flooding the Rajghat Bridge. The police have already
stopped all vehicles from crossing the bridge to avoid serious incidents.
Officials report that the water level at Rajghat was at 127 meters at seven
in the evening. This amount of water would definitely submerge the
satyagraha places in Domkhedi and Jalsindhi. On 6th August, the satyagraha
place in Domkhedi was nearly submerged as the water level rose and was only
7 feet below the satyagraha place. At that time the water level at Rajghat
was at 119 meters. The tribals and peasants have remained in the
Satyagraha places. A number of support organisations from different parts
of India have been going to the Satyagraha places to express their
solidartity with the movement.
The "samarpit dal" at the Domkhedi satyagraha place led by Sitarambhai
Patidar, Medha Patkar, Dadlya Karbhari and Bawa Muhariya, Luvariyabhai and
others in Jalsindhi along with the suporters from different parts of India
had already declared their determination to remain in the satyagraha place
and face the submergence. The resolve to confront the waters of submergence
was in consonance with their stated position to oppose the unjust and
imposed submergence and destruction. The people told this in no uncertain
terms to the police when they had come to warn the people when the water
entered the Satyagraha place in Domkhedi. They were told that the people
would not move out. Afterwards there has been no news from that place.
Meanwhile, the Jnanpeeth Award winner literateur Girish Karnad, U. R.
Ananthmurthy, Magasaysay Award Winner K.V. Subbanna and other prominent
people have appealed the President to intervene in the situation and save
the valley from the destruction. They cautioned that the government should
not ignore the Narmada Bachao Andolan as it contains the collective wisdom
of the adivasis and peasants of this country and their creative capacities.
Sanjay Sangvai