SATYAGRAHIS PREPARED TO FACE SUBMERGENCE
WATER LEVEL STABILISES AT TWO FEET BELOW SATYAGRAHA HOUSE.
Organizations Demand Implementation of Daud Committee Recommendations

The rising waters of Sardar Sarovar reservoir stopped barely two to four feet away from the Satyagraha huts of Domkhedi & Jalsindhi, as the Satyagrahis prepared themselves to face the rising waters. The Satyagraha, started on the 5th of July at Domkhedi & Jalsindhi against the displacement and submergence due to the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) entered the fifteenth day, while the ones started at Kasaravad (SSP affected) on July 9th and the one started at Khedi village (Maan Dam affected) on July 2nd have entered 12th and 19th day respectively.

Number of organizations and prominent persons in Maharashtra have demanded that the state governments must accept and implement the recommendations of the Justice (Retd) Daud Committee on the displacement and resettlement and stop any further construction on the dam. Former state Minister Bhai Vaidya, noted legal expert Dr. S.P. Sathe, senior journalist Ms. Vidya Bal, human rights activists R.P. Nene and hundreds of people sent this memorandum to the Chief Minister. Among other things, the Committee clearly indicated that resettlement of those affected at 90 m. is yet to be completed due to the non-availability of land. It has recommended that the Government should not accept any proposal to raise the height of the dam beyond its existing height of 90 (ninety) meters until all problems are solved. The people signed this memorandum in daylong dharna held in Pune on July 12, in support of the Satyagraha.

In Kerala, renowned litterateurs and artists held a daylong fast in support of Satyagraha. They include, Smt. Sugathakumari, famous Malayalam poetess, Sri. K.V.Surendra Nath (Ex. M.P), Padmasree O.N.V.Kurup, Dr. R.V.G. Menon, scientist, Sri. K.E.Mamman (Veteran Freedom Fighter) and many other cultural leaders. Several organisations like the Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad, Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi, Greens, Warblers and Waders, Sthreevedi, National Fishworker's Forum, SEWA, the National Alliance of People's Movements and World Wildlife Fund participated in the protest.

In Srilanka, members of the Friends of the Third World, a coalition of People's Organisations, Trade Unions and NGOs, held a demonstration in front of the Indian High Commission. In a memorandum submitted to the High Commissioner, The High Commissioner of India, they said. ".....we hereby express our strong protest to the Indian government for its undue delay in bringing justice to those people affected by the Narmada dam, call upon also to protect their right to life and resources of livelihoods and pursue a more humane model of development".