NBA SSP Update: Satyagraha/ Invitation
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
62 Gandhi Marg, Badwani, M.P. Ph. 07290-222464 nba.badwani
gmail.com
Maitri Niwas, Tembewadi, Dhadgaon, Nandurbar, Maharashtra. Ph: 02595-220620
Invitation/Appeal
07/07/07
- JAMIN HAQ SATYAGRAHA TO BEGIN ON JULY 11TH IN NIMAD (M.P.), 17TH IN CHIMALKHEDI (MAHARASHTRA)
- COME TO THE NARMADA VALLEY AND EXPRESS YOUR SOLIDARITY
Even as the Narmada River is roaring in agitation like a turbulent sea, with its freedom blocked and people uprooted, the Sardar Sarovar dam-affected families are COMMENCING THE MONSOON SATYAGRAHA ON JULY 11TH IN NIMAD (Madhya Pradesh). The adivasis, peasants, farmers, artisans and small traders will begin the Jamin Haq (Land Rights) Satyagraha in the villages demanding land-for-land rehabilitation instead of cash compensation and declaration of all those who are kept out of the list.
ON JULY 17TH, THE SATYAGRAHA WILL BEGIN IN CHIMALKHEDI VILLAGE, Maharashtra. They will be demanding declaration of all hitherto undeclared but eligible families and for speedy allotment of cultivable, agricultural lands.
On 4th July, the issue of unjust displacement was once again raised during the big rally in Badwani. After more than an hour of road blockade, the people met the Badwani District Collector and expressed their concerns. Many new areas may be affected this year as the dam stands at 122 meters and the submergence may be unpredictable as the contour surveys were found to be incorrect in many places. There is chance of heavy rain during this monsoon. People already affected are not yet shifted as either resettlement sites are not yet ready, unsuitable, far from the agricultural lands or families have not yet been declared.
On 5th July, the people affected from Sardar Sarovar, Omkareshwar, Indira Sagar to Bargi dams met the Governor of M.P. Dr. Balram Jhakar in Bhopal. He called the struggling displaced people as ‘freedom fighters’ of modern India, who are fighting for their lands and resources, which have been snatched away by State in the name of the so called development. He also took note of the huge corruption involved in the resettlement process (ref. Note on Land Scam circulated on July 3rd)
The adivasis in Alirajpur tehsil had earlier met the collector of Jhabua (M.P.) who has called a meeting on 10th July to discuss allotment of private lands to the Project Affected Families (PAFs). About 500 families still remain in these 26 villages, half of whom are still undeclared! The gross violation of their legal and human rights have not yet been considered.
WE, HEREBY INVITE ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING THE STRUGGLE IN THE NARMADA VALLEY, TO COME AND PARTICIPATE DURING THE MONSOON SATYAGRAHA BEGINNING IN NIMAD ON JULY 11th AND 17th IN CHIMALKHEDI . THOSE WHO ARE COMING TO NIMAD MAY PLAN TO REACH BADWANI ON 10TH EVENING OR 11TH MORNING.
WE ALSO EARNESTLY APPEAL TO ALL SUPPORTERS FOR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS, EITHER IN CASH OR KIND. The ‘Janasahayog’ (People’s Solidarity) program is providing basic food to the most needy who have lost their lands but not yet got alternative land. We welcome donations of clothes, umbrellas, tarpaulin sheets, food grains and cash. Those who wish to make contributions, please contact the persons given below. Please note that people were fighting for the last 22 years, not only by their will but also due to the earnest and generous support of each one of you, who look forward to genuine development of our country and its people.
Most importantly, COME TO THE NARMADA VALLEY AND EXPRESS YOUR SOLIDARITY and see for yourself the appalling situation people are pushed into due to the callous and inhuman approach of the successive governments and also the patience and steely resolve of the people to struggle on, against all odds.
Route:
TO COME TO BADWANI ON 11TH, IT IS 4 HRS FROM INDORE BY BUS, THERE ARE OVERNIGHT BUSES FROM MUMBAI, FROM VADODARA IT IS 7 HRS BY BUS.
TO COME TO CHIMALKHEDI ON 17TH, YOU MAY EITHER REACH BADWANI ON 16TH MORNING AND TRAVEL WITH THE TEAM GOING TO GADHER VILLAGE (WHICH IS ON THE OPPOSITE BANK OF CHIMALKHEDI) OR COME TO VADODARA BY 17TH EARLY MORNING AND THEN BY JEEP TO GADHER (CONTACT ROHIT PRAJAPATI). FROM THERE YOU WILL TRAVEL BY BOAT TO CHIMALKHEDI. PLEASE BE PREPARED TO WALK A LITTLE WHILE.
Contacts:
Mumbai – Pervin Jehangir - 09820636335, 022-22184779
Pune - Suniti S R – 020-25211404, 09422048967
Shahada - Shyam Patil – 02562-246419, 09423496020
Indore – Chinmayabhai, Sarvodaya Press Service – 0731-2401083, 09893278855
Vadodara- Rohit Prajapati – 0265-2320399
Ashish Mandloi, Yogini Khanolkar, Kailash Awasya, Medha Patkar
for more information you can visit 
http://www.narmada.org
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