NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
• 62 M.G Marg, Badwani, Madhya Pradesh - 451551
Telefax: 07290-222464;
E-mail:nba.medha@gmail.com •Maitri Niwas, Tembewadi, Behind Kakawadi, Dhadgav, Dist. Nandurbar,
Maharashtra - 425414 – Telefax: 02595-220620
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INDEFINITE MASS ACTION BY NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
AGAINST SUBMERGENCE OF JUSTICE: FOR RIGHT OVER LAND, WATER, FISH, FORESTS
STARTS APRIL 11TH ONWARDS…
The struggle of people in the Narmada valley against its 'planned'
destruction by Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) enters in its 25th
year. The valley has been in turbulence and continues to reverberate with the
slogans of ladenge jeetenge (We shall fight ! We shall win !), even though
people are constantly under a threat of submergence and displacement due to
Sardar Sarovar, Jobat, Goi, Indira Sagar, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar Dams and its
canal networks. Continuing with their resolve to struggle and defend land,
rivers, forests, livelihood and cultures, hundreds of adivasis, farmers,
labourers, and fish workers will begin their march from Badwani (the district
place in the valley) on April 11th and reach Indore on the 13th to embark on an
indefinite action until justice is guaranteed.
'No Land, No Dam' is a slogan that always resonated in the valley since
eighties. It's now been proved on innumerable occasions that the government
and project authorities and even the monitoring agencies have failed to ensure
land-based rehabilitation, with the entire 'rehabilitation' process
infested with the virus of corruption. The authorities have also been
responsible for serious environmental violations and willful non-compliance of
law. The violation by the Government of its own Policies, Narmada water
Disputes Tribunal Award, the Supreme Court's Judgements has also occurred in
almost every area, showing the State's incapacity to safeguard the
constitutional and human rights of the people.
We, the adivasis from the hilly areas, who have been losing our land and houses
to these giant projects for years now, but still continue to occupy our place
in higher reaches of the hills, express our continued and stronger resolve to
fight for our rights. Others in the densely populated village communities with
the best of agriculture and horticulture can't be "ousted" and
"drowned" and doomed as well. We are not leaving our homeland and will
continue to struggle against the injustices foisted on us. Our share in the
development must be assured, including land, houses and livelihood to those
eligible as per law and the principles of justice.
People of the valley can't wait any more! Those of us, who were compelled to
climb up the hills and mountain ranges of Satpuda and vindhyas can't remain
hanging when our lands and houses have gone under water. While the Narmada
struggle enters the 25th year of its journey, men, women and children will
continue to move ahead. Dam height can't be furthered nor can the living
communities be drowned and their rights trampled. While SSP is the only dam
where about 11,000 families have received land for land, thousands still remain
to get their entitlement and Government of M.P, Maharashtra and Gujarat can't
continue to remain callous and disown any responsibility. Right to fisheries in
the reservoir must be granted to the displaced fish workers. Potters must also
get their share of land to ensure ther livelihood. The canal-affected families
must also be ensured full rehabilitation, as per the R&R Policy.
Displacement, destruction of livelihoods and environment not only by dams but
by other infrastructure projects too, has become a major state-sponsored and
corporate-induced national disaster today. Narmada Bachao Andolan earnestly
invites all like-minded people in the struggle for their rights to land, water,
forest, minerals, fish, life and livelihood and supporters of these struggles
to join in this march for justice.
Join us with your banners, songs and slogans as participants, as supporters in
solidarity and be the soldiers of the life long struggle – past and future.
Let us, together, demand an immediate review of the costs and benefits of the
Sardar Sarovar Project, which has delivered just 10% of the promised benefits
and has costed 10 times the approved estimates, with irreversible the social
and environmental losses.
Yours in solidarity,
Kailash Awasya Ghokru Bhilala Ratanbhai Khemabhai Kamla Yadav Ranveer Tomar
(Bhilkheda) (Bhadal) (Sugat) (Jobat) (Chhota Barda) (Semalda)
Siyaram Padvi Ramanbhai Pinjaribai Punya Padvi Shanta Yadav Mohan
Patidar(Danel) (Parveta) (Sikka) (Somaval) (Pipri) (Bhavaria)
Details of the March:
• The Indefinite action of hundreds of the displaced is to begin from
Badwani (the district place) in Madhya Pradesh on the 11th of April and shall
traverse a distance of 200 kilometers and reach Indore by road on the 13th.
• At Indore, we shall undertake a mass sit-in before the Narmada Control
Authority until our demands for justice are met.
• You may either plan to reach Badwani on the 10th or directly Indore on
the 13th.
• Badwani is 5 hours by road from Indore, Khandwa, Dhule and Baroda
stations.
Your involvement in any manner in the upcoming action is indeed welcome and we
hope you will BE WITH US in this challenge that has fallen upon us.
For further information kindly contact:
Ashish Mandloi Yogini Khanolkar Geetanjali Chavan Chetan Salve Medha Patkar
(07290-222464) (09423944390) (09423965152) (09420375730) (9424076624)
Other Contacts:
Madhuresh: 09818905316 (Delhi)
Philip: 09446456616 (Kerala)
Simpreet: 09969363065 (Mumbai)
Shrikanth: 09179148973 (Narmada)
Pervin Jehangir: 09820636335 (Mumbai)
Shyam Patil: 094239496020 (Dhule)
Suniti S.R: 094235717854 (Pune)
