Gujarat Adivasis affected by Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) on stir and fast again

Jiku Bhai Tadvi on Fast with Oustees from rehab sitesin Devalia, district Narmada

28^th September 2014, Narmada district/New Delhi: After full day’s dharna (sit-in) yesterday on 26^th,  Sardar Sarovar affected adivasis in Gujarat were promise a hearing by the Narmada district collector. However, when a team of 15 oustees reached Rajpipla headquarters today morning, they realised that the collector was transferred overnight, and hence there was no dialogue possible. The adivasis with Jiku bhai, Karam Singh, Raman Bhai, Ratan bhai, Sumitra Behen and others were quite upset and desperate to make their grievances heard and justice sought.

Finally at 5pm today, Jiku bhai Tadvi began his fast at Devalia chowkdi (square) with a number of demands towards full and fair rehabilitation of hundreds of families who are evicted from original forest based villages on the bank of Narmada but have not received full entitlements. They demand, rehabilitation first, dam later. They also are upset and asserting their right to agitate which is denied everytime in Gujarat. It is indicative that a number of villagers, questioning their displacement for on-going Garudeshwar Weir project, without necessary sanctions, were detained whole day at police station just because CM was to visit the area.

Jiku bhai Tadvi and other leading activist oustees are determined to continue the struggle till they see justice on the horizon.

Anand Mazgaonkar, Lakhan Bhai, Devram Kaner, Madhuresh Kumar, Kanika

Contact: 9958660556                                    

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