Harasment by the State Administration continues
Chittaroopa Palit and Urmila Patidar still held in jail for the 11th day
The government of Madhya Pradesh continues to act in an exceedingly
shameful manner by holding the Narmada Bachao Andolan activists in jail for
the 11th day today. On 26th, 200 adivasi project-affected activists were
released unconditionally. On 29th March, 6 more activists were released on
bail, by the order of the District Court, while on 31st March, 7 activists
were released. However, Smt. Chittaroopa Palit and Urmila Patidar are still
being held in jail with the government persisting on raking up old cases
against them. The project-affected persons, who have been released strongly
condemn this act of the government and reiterate their demand for
rehabilitation in accordance with the rehabilitation policy.
The shameful and exceedingly vulgar display of administrative might of the
State was further showcased yesterday with production warrants for old
cases being submitted to the Dhar Jail Superintendent. Production warrants
for 6 cases against Chittaroopa Palit and 5 cases from the Mandleshwar
Court were received by the Jail Superintendent to be produced in the
Mandleshwar Court on the 3rd and 4th of April. Production warrants for
Chittaroopa Palit have also been served from Khargone Court directing her
to be produced there on 4th of April. The government is clearly avoiding
the main issue of rehabilitation and indulging in pathetic displays of
shameless behavior. The attitude of the State proves their inability to
disprove the fact that rehabilitation has not been done. We demand that the
State immediately release the remaining activists instead of sidetracking
the real issue of rehabilitation. The activists aptly respond to this
grossly illegal action of the State by simply saying: "Jab Tak Jail Mein
Channa Rehega, Aana Jaana Banna Rehega". It must be recalled that the State
had to give in to the demands of the project-affected and unconditionally
released 200 of those arrested.
On the 21st of this month, hundreds of adivasis affected by the Man Project
in Dhar district, stormed and occupied the dam site stopping any further
construction of the dam protesting violations of their legal rehabilitation
rights by the State. Instead of rehabilitating them the State put them in
jail. Then, to top this atrocious conduct, the State then proceeded to file
cases of Atrocities on Scheduled Tribes against the senior activists
including Chittaroopa Palit and others. It must be mentioned that the
project-affected adivasis are furious with this and insist that the State
must be taken to task for such appalling doings. Meanwhile, on 28th March,
after a long dialogue between the Narmada Bachao Andolan, which continued
till late in the evening, an understanding was reached that within the next
10 days a comprehensive meeting will be held in Dhar, to enable a detailed
case-by-case examination to establish the rehabilitation status of each
affected person.
Narmada Bachao Andolan in replying to the accusations of Smt Jamuna Devi,
Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and the local MLA Shri Karan Singh
Pawar, only wishes to say that the Andolan firmly believes that no project
can be built by displacing thousands of adivasis without rehabilitating
them in accordance with the governing rehabilitation policy. This project
cannot be advanced till all the affected adivasis are completely
rehabilitated according to the rules and regulations of rehabilitation,
that have been framed to ensure that the adivasis atleast regain their
standard of living after displacement. We warn the government not to forget
that these rules and regulations, the rehabilitation policy and the Narmada
Award are legally binding on the State and it is illegal for the State to
violate these rehabilitation provisions.
Narmada Bachao Andolan believes that in the event of adivasis getting
displaced without any rehabilitation being done, there is no alternate but
to involve itself in the struggle for the rights of those displaced. If the
government is under the impression that holding activists in jail is the
answer to such struggles, then it is sadly mistaken. If the government
decides to make a sincere effort to rehabilitate these adivasis, then the
Andolan promises to offer its total help, support and participation.
However, if the government attempts to cheat the adivasis, then the Andolan
sees no other way, except intense struggle, to fight for the rights of
those displaced by this project.
Alok Agarwal
Noora
Bhishan
Clifton
Gendalal
Jagadeesh
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