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dam-l LS: NARMADA ACTION ALERT - PROTEST THE SUBMERGENCE
** ACTION ALERT ** ACTION ALERT ** ACTION ALERT ** ACTION ALERT ** ACTION
ALERT ** ACTION ALERT **
PLEASE FAX INDIAN OFFICALS TO PROTEST DISASTER CAUSED BY ILLEGAL SUBMERGENCE
IN THE NARMADA VALLEY AND SUPPORT DEMANDS OF NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
Dear Friends
The villagers of the Narmada Valley are currently facing disastrous floods
caused by the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Villagers and activists are risking their
lives to show their opposition to this illegal submergence. See the press
release below for the latest news from the Valley.
The NBA is urging supporters to write to the governments of the three
states involved to call for them to respond to the NBA's demands. The NBA
believes that "rescuing" the people from the rising waters by arresting
them is a cosmetic solution. Fundamental solutions are needed, including a
halt to construction while a comprehensive and participative review of the
project is carried out. Letters should make clear that it is the states
which are responsible for the destruction and loss in the valley. Letters
should be cc'd to the Indian President and, for overseas supporters, Indian
Ambassadors and Consuls General. A short sample letter is given below.
------------------------------------------------------
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Chief Minister
As you must be aware, dam-created flooding is currently causing widespread
destruction and suffering in the Narmada Valley. Villagers and NBA
activists are at serious risk of drowning because of their determination to
oppose the submergence, which is illegal under the terms of the Narmada
Water Disputes Tribunal.
The state governments which have allowed this submergence to happen are
responsible for the current crisis in the Narmada Valley. Arresting NBA
supporters and dragging them out of the rising waters is no solution. The
only way a resolution can be found is if construction on Sardar Sarovar Dam
is halted and a comprehensive and participatory review of the project
carried out, as is demanded by the NBA.
Yours sincerely,
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Important Addresses :
Mr. Digvijay Singh
Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh
Shyamala Hills
Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh, India
Fax: +91 (755) 540 501
(often this fax does not work - telegraphs can be sent)
+++++++++++++++
Mr Narayan Rane,
Chief Minster,
Mantralaya,
Mumbai,
Maharashtra
Fax : +91-22-363 1446 or 202 9214
+++++++++++++++
Dr. K. R. Narayanan,
The Honorable President of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi
India
Fax +91 (011) 3014570, +91 (011) 3017290
Email: pressecy@alpha.nic.in
+++++++++
Ambassador Naresh Chandra
Indian Embassy
Washington, DC
Fax 202 483 3972
amb-washington@indiagov.org
+++++++++
R.M. Abhyankar
Consul-General
Indian Consulate
San Francisco
Fax 415 668 7968
cg@indianconsulate-sf.org
-------------------------------------------------
Narmada Bachao Andolan/Save the Narmada Movement Press Release
10:30pm Indian Standard Time, Tuesday, 21 September 1999
Hundreds Arrested In Shoulder-Deep Water at Domkhedi. Others Still Standing
in Rising Waters
Around 300 people were arrested in Domkhedi after police entered the
Maharashtra village around 4pm today. The police dragged Ms Medha Patkar,
Mr Sitarambhai Patidar and Mr Devram Kanera out of shoulder-deep water in
the satayagrah (struggle) house. The police broke down the wall of the
house as the water at the door of the house was too deep to enter. Medha
was kicked during her arrest, others were also kicked, slapped and beaten.
The three activists from the Samarpit Dal - the "Dedicated Squad" of the
Narmada Bachao Andolan - had spent around 27 hours standing in the steadily
rising water of the Sardar Sarovar Reservoir. The other villagers and
activists arrested had been gathered near the satayagrah house in support
of the Samarpit Dal. Those arrested are being held at higher elevatations
in Domkhedi.
People are still facing the rising waters at other villages alongside the
Narmada. Villagers in the lowest houses in the Maharashtra villages of
Sikka, Bharad and Pipalchop, downstream of Domkhedi, are reported to be in
water between knee and waist height. At Jalsindhi in Madhya Pradesh, around
70-80 people are standing together with Luharia Shankaria who lives in the
lowest house in the village. Latest reports state that the water in
Luharia's house is around 1.5 feet deep.
The waters have been flooding fields and houses in Maharashtra and Madhya
Pradesh since 17th evening. The four days of flooding have caused serious
damage to property and suffering to people. But at the same time, the
people of the Narmada Valley and the activists of the Andolan and NBA
leader Medha Patkar have stood firm in their resolve that they will drown
but not move.
On Saturday, 18 September, Medha and 135 others were arrested from
waist-deep waters in a house in Pipalchop. They were released on the
following day, after which they went to Domkhedi. Yesterday the waters rose
again and the Samarpit Dal stood in the waters once again.
Nandini Oza, NBA, Baroda.
10:30 pm, Tuesday, 21 September 1999
Tel +91 265 382232
nba@lwbdq.lwbbs.net