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dam-l LS: NBA PR: Satyagraha in Narmada Valley Intensifies: People Block Road



NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
B-13, Shivam Flats,
Ellora Park Baroda-390007.
(Ph.0265-382232)

Press Release/ Aug. 24, 1999

The Satyagraha in the Narmada valley intensifies:
Road Block at Rajghat bridge.

The Satyagraha in the Narmada valley intensifies as people of Nimad
blocked the Baroda - Khandwa high way at Rajghat from early morning of
24.8.99 till 8.00 in the evening.  More than 150 villages of Nimad are
threatened by submergence through Sardar Sarovar Project, some of them
in this monsoon itself.  The Satyagraha to protest this submergence has
been going on in the Narmada Valley since June 20th at Jalsindhi village
in Madhya Pradesh and Domkhedi village in Maharashtra.  To intensify the
protest and to assert that people will continue to fight to save their
lands and homes and villages men, women and children assembled at
Rajghat bridge near Chikalda village  and blocked the state highway.
The people demanded that the Madhya Pradesh government should change its
position on the Sardar Sarovar Project and demand complete stoppage and
review of the project.

The largest submergence falls in the state of Madhya Pradesh with 193
villages to be submerged by Sardar Sarovar Project alone. The Madhya
Pradesh government has no facility whatsoever to rehabilitate more than
30 thousand families affected in their state. The people of Nimad have
been fighting or waging a non-violent struggle for 14 years now.  The
government of Madhya Pradesh in its response have demanded a reduction
of the Sardar Sarovar dam height by 19 feet. This is totally
unacceptable to the people of Nimad and today once again by blocking the
state highway the people again declared their determination to fight
tooth and nail for the protection of their right to life.

Many local leaders of the area and supporters of Narmada Bachao Andolan
were present in this program. The assembly of people was addressed by
Ratansingh Chowgde, Ashish Mandloi, Govind Patidar, Devendra Singh
Thomal and Dr.Sugant Bharant.  It was also declared by the people that
if the Madhya Pradesh government allows any further increase in the
height of the dam the people will further intensify their struggle by
protesting against the government offices in the region.  In a
memorandum to the collector people also expressed anguish at the illegal
submergence of fields and homes of more 25 villages on 10th and 11th of
August. At Domkhedi, Tribal people, supporters and Medha Patkar stood in
chest deep water for 18 hours with the determination to drown but not
move. At Jalsindhi the rising waters caused devastation of fields and
people Jalsindhi Satyagraha house continued to sit as the water rose to
touch the Satyagraha house. The people have also demanded compensation
for the damage caused due to this illegal submergence.

The Narmada Bachao Andolan expresses gratitude to all those who helped
in making this program successful and also expresses regrets for the
inconvenience caused to general public.

Rehmat.

---------------

Dear Friends,

Sorry for not being in touch for some time.

The situation in the valley, after the flood water rose upto chest
height, is as usual and water level has decreased as before but
Satyagraha is going on with vigour and determination with more and more
people coming from and outside the valley, with a lot of programmes
taking place. Independence day was celebrated in the Jeevanshalas here
raising the slogan "Nayi Zindagi Layenge, Narmada Bachayenge" (We will
bring new life, will save Narmada).

Hundreds of acres of crop worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed due to
the flood making the life of the tribals more pathetic. We have
conducted a survey of loss in each village. It is in handwritten more
and if anybody needs please let me know.

Also we are receiving copy of a lot of letters send to the Hon'ble
President of India from and outside the country. I am sending one along
with this mail.

Tomorrow (24.8.99) there would be a rally and dharna at Dhadgaon against
liquor. Earlier, on 18.8.99, all the Satyagrahis raided the Police camp
at Domkhedi and confiscated a hundreds of liquor bottles from the police
only to be destroyed. It may be noted that during the time of flood,
while the Satyagrahis were standing in water, the police were consuming
liquor.


With warm regards,

Yours,
Sukumar.

-----------------------------
Letter to the President from Janaki Amma, former retired judge of the
Kerala High Court.

11.8.99

To
Hon'ble Shri.K.R.Narayanan,
President of India,
Rashtrapathy Bhavan,
New Delhi.

Poojya Rashtrapathiji,

This is just to bring to the notice of your Excellency the sad plight in
which a large section of the public of the states of Madhya Pradesh,
Gujarat and Maharashtra are placed on account of the Narmada River
Valley Project.  A major section of the people wo are injuriously
affected by the project are adivasis and other lower strata of the
society.  These people are threatened by the construction of the dam and
their life is in danger.  It seems that those who are in charge of the
project are not at all concerned with the danger that is is facing the
affected people.  May I request your Excellency to look into the matter,
to exercise the powers that is vested in the office of the President and
to see that the right to life that is conferred by the Constitution in
these unfortunate people is made available to them and the concerned
States are directed to take such measures as will help them in this
present predicament.


With respectful regards,

sd/-

P.JANAKI AMMA
Former Judge of the Kerala High Court,
President, People's Council for Social Justice,
Sarada Mandiram, Ravipuram Road,
Ernakulam, Cochin-16, Kerala.