June 30 – Today is the 25th day of the dharna (indefinite fast) which began on June 6th, in protest to the mass displacement caused by the Indira Sagar dam and Omkareshwar dam in India. Nine people are currently fasting, with about half of those displaced (5000 people) sitting with them.
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From Friends of the Narmada – More than 10,000 people affected by the Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar dam continue in their struggle by shifting their dharna from Khandwa to the Capital city, Bhopal. The 25th day of the indefinite fast that began on June 6th continues in Bhopal. The dismissal of the petition of NHDC by the High Court yesterday strengthens the demand of the displaced people.
Today, thousands of people affected by the Omkareshwar and Indira Sagar Project took out a historic rally in Bhopal. The rally started from Shahjaani Park and going through several main routes of the city,culminated at the Tin Shed, where it took on the shape of the indefinite dharna. Senior Narmada Bachao Andolan activists, Ms. Chittaroopa Palit and Shri Bhagwan Mukati continue their fast that had started on June 6 th in Khandwa, at this dharna site.
It may be noted that on the 4th of June, more than 12000 people affected by the Indira Sagar and the Omkareshwar dams had taken out a rally, and subsequently on June 6 th, the indefinite hunger strike was initiated. After about 5000 affected people had been sitting on a dharna for 26 days in Khandwa, the decision to take this struggle to Bhopal was taken.
The struggle of the affected people for their rights
This struggle by the people affected by the Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar dams is for their livelihood and legal rights. The affected people are demanding that the adult sons and unmarried adult daughters of the farmers be given land or the special rehabilitation package. The landless people in the submergence areas of Omkareshwar dam should as per the environmental clearance be given land, and the land that would be drawn up by the Indira Sagar. The houses and islands that have been left should be acquired. Services should be available at the rehabilitation sites and all other facilities should be given as per the policies. It needs to be mentioned here that over 12000 complaints have been registered in Khandwa during the dharna.
High Court’s decision affirms the demands of the displaced people
The Jabalpur High Court yesterday dismissed the petition of the Narmada Hydro Development Company (NHDC), the company that is making the Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar dams. The petition had asked for re-looking into the decision of providing a rehabilitation package to the adult sons. This decision of the High Court further confirms the demand for provision of land or the special compensation package to adult sons and unmarried daughters. Thousands of affected people are determined to take their rights of livelihood and life. (source)
Updates at narmada.org
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