TNN Jan 28, 2012, 03.55AM IST
PATNA: Social activist Medha Patkar has said the urban poor and homeless would be forced to launch a larger movement if the Bihar government does not pay heed to their pleas.
Addressing a gathering of the city’s urban poor and homeless people at Kargil Chowk on Friday, Patkar said these people came to cities after they faced problems in villages. “But if they continue to face problems in the city, where will they go?” she asked.
The meeting was organized under the aegis of National Alliance for People’s Movement. Patkar said she had sought a meeting with chief minister Nitish Kumar for five minutes but was denied appointment.
She also talked about Forbesganj police firing issue. “I want to ask why Kumar has not taken action against those responsible for the firing,” she said.
Patkar urged the urban poor and homeless people to continue their stir. They later took out a rally towards the CM house but were stopped near the Bailey Road railway crossing. A delegation met the secretary to CM and discussed the issues related to rehabilitation and livelihood of poor people in urban areas, said social activist Dorothy Fernandes.
Patkar also addressed a seminar on ‘Development, democracy and people’s movement’ at A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies.