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dam-l LS: Judicial Reforms Needed
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Baroda-390007 (Ph. 0265-382232)
Camp: 16, Ashoknagar, Dhule- 424001 (Ph. 02562-34519)
_________________________________________________
Press Release/ Oct.6,1999
JUDICIAL REFORMS NEEDED FOR JUSTICE TO DEPRESSED
People in Impressive Rally In Dhule: Resolve to Continue the Struggle
"The entire episode of unwarranted arrest and detention of the hundreds of
adivasis-peasants from the Narmada valley has once again has made it
necessary for the people's movement to strive for the reform of the
judicial process, making it free from political influence and pressure with
respect for human and constitutional rights, while struggling against
destructive projects like Sardar Sarovar and the development policy behind
this" declared the people in Narmada valley, after they were released from
the Dhule jail on Wednesday (Oct.6).
This was reiterated by Medha Patkar, in an impressive rally after the
release of 376 men and women from Dhule jail, after a 13 days detention, at
the time of ending the indefinite fast by her and six others after four
days. The release of the people came after a decision by the Sessions court
of Nandurbar on October 5. They received a tumultous welcome by hundreds of
people who had come from the valley,outside the jail. Seven satyagrahis,
including Medha Patkar, Sitaram Patidar, Dadlia Karbhari, Komalbehn,
Dhursingh Vasave, Mahadev Patidar and Naharsingh, who were on the fast for
last four days issued a statement from the jail while being released.
The people were arrested in Dhadgaon (Dist. Nandurbar) on September 23,
when the people were on the dharna demanding the discussions on the basic
issues regarding the displacement, resettlement and dam through some senior
official. Instead, they have been arrested and detained in the jail,
without any reason. After the release the people took out a rally where the
people resolved for struggle with renewed vigour. Keshav Vasave, Dadlia
Vasave, Sitarambhai, Pratibha Shinde and other activists expressed their
resolve to carry on the struggle against the unjust development. Adv.
Nirmalkumar Suryavanshi lamented the unwarranted delay in the release of
the satyagrahis arrested under flimsy charges. He wondered why Satish
Sharma was exonerated and a hotel in Mumbai was saved through the court
order while the rights of adivsis and dalits have been under constant
threat.
According to Medha Patkar, who was addressing the rally,"the government of
Maharashtra must take initiative in reviewing the SSP, as it is not in the
interest of the state. The government must come out with its plans
regarding the rehabilitation and availability of the land as it had
claimed".
According to the statement, "The recent arrest and the injustice in the
judicial process about the release of the 386 satyagrahis has led to the
indefinite fast. However, while being released after a tedious judicial
process and ending the fast we know that we will have to struggle for the
reform of the entire judicial process, make it free from the political
pressure and influence and induce in it the respect for human and
constitutional rights. On the other hand we will have to continue our
struggle against the destructive development projects like the Sardar
Sarovar and the development policy behind it which has been against the 80%
of the people".
"When the political leaders are busy in the power games and to keep the
people mesmerised in it, our hearts and heads are filled with the life and
death issues of the depressed and downtrodden sections. We all want to
bring in the rule of the village and community with the rights over natural
resources and decentralised decision making process. The struggle against
SSP and the large dams on the Narmada is in decisive phase. We are
committed to struggle for the review of the entire Narmada valley project
and would not allow an inch construction towards the final height of the
SSP, 138.46 mts."
The people have expressed their determination to carry on the struggle
along with the other people's organisations within the country, struggling
on the issues like the displacement, destructive development,
communalism-casteism and for an alternative development.
The people have since returned back to their villages. They would be having
meetings in Dhadgaon.
Sanjay Sangvai