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dam-l LS: Press Note Oct. 4 - Prisoners remanded for 14 more days
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Baroda-390007 (Ph. 0265-382232)
Camp: 16, Ashoknagar, Dhule- 424001 (Ph. 02562-34519, 37367)
_____________________________________________
Press Note October 4, 1999
THIRD DAY OF INDEFINITE FAST OF MEDHA AND OTHERS IN DHULE JAIL
Taloda Court Rejects NBA Application Again: Dy. CM Munde Keeps Silent:
Dharna Continues
The indefinite fast by Medha Patkar and six other Satyagrahis in Dhule jail
continued for the third day today (Monday, 4th Oct.) as the junior court in
Taloda rejected the application for release of over 386 men and women from
Narmada valley on personal bond. They have been remanded for further 14
days judicial custody. Already, the people have undergone 12 days in jail,
without being tried.
The learned judge of Taloda court did not give any reason for rejecting the
application of release of the detainees under Section 144 of the Indian
Penal Code (which prohibits the gathering of groups of more than five
people). The Satyagrahis fasting inside the jail, others who are jailed
illegally and the ones who are on indefinite Dharna in front of the jail
have decided to further intensify the agitation. Declaration of the actions
will be done later. The Andolan would also be approaching the higher courts
for appeal on this order.
The same judge had rejected the appeal for release on personal bond of the
386 detainees on October 1. The Andolan has challenged the earlier order as
unwarranted. It is a normal procedures to get Personal Bond when arrested
under Sec.144. Mr. N.D. Suryavanshi, Advocate of Andolan, today made a
strong plea for the unconditional release of all the detainees as they have
already undergone detention without trial for over 10 days. It is learned
that the court has given another 14 days of detention. The police and
administration has been acting illegally, after the Chief Minister Mr. Rane
had made uncharitable comments on NBA and Medha Patkar. Mr. Suryavanshi
wondered why the normal procedure of releasing the people detained under
s.144 on personal bond is not followed in the case of the satyagrahis of
NBA.
Curiously, the police did not produce the detainees before the court citing
flimsy and false reasons. The detainees, including Medha Patkar insisted on
taking them to Taloda for the hearing.
Munde Has No Answers
Meanwhile, a delegation of NBA met the Deputy Chief Minister of
Maharashtra, Mr. Gopinath Munde today at Dhule. Mr. Munde, who had earlier
came to Manibeli and extended support for the cause of the Andolan, had no
answers to the questions raised by the delegation. The delegation made it
clear that the Maharashtra Government is responsible for the submergence
which has occurred in the Narmada valley, destroying thousands of hectares
of agricultural lands and houses. The delegation also challenged him to
come forward for a dialogue with facts and details on availability of land
for rehabilitation, rather than uttering irresponsible statements from
far-off places, particularly by the Chief Minister, Mr. Rane.
All the satyagrahis in jail - including Medha Patkar, Sitarambhai Patidar
(Kadmal), Doorsingh Vasave (Domkhedi), Naharsingh Pavara (Savariya),
Mahadeo Patidar (Chhota Barda) and Dadliya Munda Vasava (Domkhedi) and Ms.
Komal Patidar who are on indefinite fast against the illegal detention and
the indifference and frigidity of the State - are weak physically but high
in spirits. They are determined to take this peaceful agitation ahead, and
not to yield to the wicked tactics of the State. A further five people who
are jailed and 11 of the Satyagrahis outside, observed 24 hours of relay
fast. Prominent among them are Tembarya Vasave (Gaman village), Bhimabhai
Tadvi (Waghadia village, Gujarat), Narsing Vasave (Amli rehabilitation
site) and Nikki (England). Ms. Mercy Mathew continued her fast for the
second day.
As the Dharna entered the 10th day, more and more people are coming down
from different parts of Maharashtra and the country to strengthen the hands
of the people against the unjust callousness of the State. Students from
Delhi, representatives of students unions from Kerala and others
organisations have come today. Oustees' representatives from Gujarat too
have joined the dharna on Monday. Senior activists like Bhaijibhai Tadvi,
Kalpanabehn Tadvi and Bhimabhai Tadvi are among those who came in support
for the struggling people. Senior economist, Mr. H.M. Desarda today visited
the dharna and expressed support.
Joe Athialy Alok Agrawal
Sanjay Sangvai