Tel.: (202) 387-3500; Fax: (202) 234-6049; Econet: edf
Internet: lori@edf.org, mimi@edf.org, wild@edf.org or edf@igc.org
Date: August 3, 1993
From: NativeNet@gnosys.svle.ma.us
Re: "Save or Drown" Squads/Urgent Memo from the Narmada Bachao
Andolan (the Indian, grassroots Anti-Sardar Sarovar Project
coalition headed by Medha Paktar)
In solidarity with the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) and with the affected
peoples of the Narmada Valley, EDF urges concerned groups and persons to
take action now. Fax a letter to the Indian Prime Minister Rao demanding
that a comprehensive review of the Sardar Sarovar Project be initiated
immediately and that construction be stopped! Organize a demonstration in
front of the Indian Embassy or consulate in your country! Do something!
After eight years of arduous struggle, the campaign to stop the Sardar
Sarovar Project has reached a critical and perhaps deadly juncture.
According to the highly urgent Action Alert from the Narmada Bachao
Andolan (which has been received by EDF and which is transcribed below),
the members of the first "Save or Drown" squad led by internationally
recognized environmental and human rights activist Medha Patkar will
immerse themselves in the swirling waters of the Narmada on August 6th
if the construction is not stopped and if the government of India does not
take steps to initiate a truly comprehensive review of the projects.
This is not a grandstanding publicity stunt. The squad is serious. Its vow
to drown has been made in a spirit of non-violent opposition and sacrifice.
Its location in the Narmada Valley is unknown and the NBA vows that
neither "police nor government will stop them."
Full transcript of the NBA Action Alert (received Aug 3 93) follows:
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
SARDAR SAROVAR PROJECT ACTION ALERT
SARDAR SAROVAR PROJECT ACTION ALERT
SARDAR SAROVAR PROJECT ACTION ALERT
Countdown to Jal Samarpan Begins!
Only 72 hours are left for Jal Samarpan (Self Sacrifice in the Waters) in
the narmada Valley. Unless the Government of India initiates a
comprehensive review of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP with the full
concurrence of the people of the Narmada Valley by aug. 5, 1993, the first
"Save or Drown" squad will submerge itself in the waters of the narmada
river in the highest traditions of non-violent struggle.
This is not a suicide. As anyone who has been following project the
struggle over the last years will know, the tremendous struggle of the
tribals and the farmers of the Narmada Valley has, over the last years,
completely exposed the project. It has proved on every possible and
available forum that the project is socially and environmentally
disastrous, the benefits highly exaggerated and not solving the priority
problems of the really [line of text from fax transmission
missing/distorted] unviable. It has also now been shown that better,
cheaper and faster alternatives exist. Based upon this overwhelming
evidence, supported by the findings of independent experts like the Morse
team, the Narmada Bachao Andolan -- Struggle to Save the Narmada --
NBA) has been calling for a comprehensive review of the project with the
participation of the affected people.
However, the Government has remained adamant and not only has it
refused the Review, but has also gone ahead with the construction of the
dam.
As a result, this year the construction led to the submergence 18 villages
leaving hundreds of families homeless. The people have fought valiantly,
refusing to leave their houses even when chest deep in waters. The police
had to arrest them and pull them out. They plan to return and live in
their villages.
Earlier, last month, the Government had held a round of talks with the
NBA subsequent to a 15 day hunger strike by its leader Ms. Medha
Patkar and a affected person Devrambhai. In these talks, the
Government had promised to set up a "Group" of eminent, independent
persons to review the project.
But the government seems to be dilly-dallying the whole issue, under
pressure from political vested interests. It has only shown some
willingness to form a "group" but all the crucial procedural and other
issues have been left vague or not accepted rendering the "group" totally
ineffective. There is no strong convenor, no chairperson, no public
hearing of proceedings, the proceedings are not time-bound,. the terms of
reference are not clear, there is no open access to the final report, etc.
Obviously, without a strong chairperson, closed door proceedings of the
"group" which neither has clear terms of references nor any legal binding,
will merely be an exercise in futility. Thus, the only intention of the
Government seems to be to ensure that the 6th of August normally, and
then adopt all delaying tactics.
Naturally, such a situation is unacceptable to NBA, which entered into
the process of dialogue with Government in all its sincerity.
Eight long years of intense struggles of harassment , of police beatings,
of state repression. Eight long years of rallies, demonstrations, sit-ins and
long marches. Eight long years of broken promises, of contemptuous and
arrogant treatment by the government. and now, hundreds of families
affected by the submergence. It seems that the people are being punished
only because they have chosen the peaceful and non-violent method of
struggle. But the people are firm. In the face of eight years of
frustrations, and of submergence, they are still committed to a nonviolent
struggle. For the truth is on their side. And now, the people are getting
ready for the ultimate stage of any non-violent struggle -- self sacrifice.
Only 72 hours remain. Unless the nation responds, unless concerned
citizens all over the world respond, the Government will not. And the
first squad, led by Medha Patkar, leader of the struggle, will submerge in
the waters. No police or government will be able to stop them.
WHAT YOU CAN DO?
* Send urgently faxes, letters, telegrams to the Prime Minister and Water
Resources Minister at the following address demanding an immediate halt
to the construction work on the dam and a comprehensive, meaningful
review of the project.
Shri P. V. Narsimha Rao Shri V.C. Shukla
Prime Minister Water Resources Minister
7, Race Course Road 9, Janpath
New Delhi New Delhi
INDIA INDIA
Ph: +91-11-3018939 Ph: +91-11-3013883
Fax: +91-11-3019817 Fax +91-11-30116863 (Res.)
* Distribute this Alert to as many people/groups/organisations as
possible.
* Issue press statements.
* Organise rallies, demonstrations on 4th August as warning, prior to
6th August, in prominent areas like the Indian Embassy.
* Any other solidarity Actions that you feel will be effective.
Contact:
INDIA: Narmada Bachao Andolan, C/O parivartan, Nimbalkar
Chambers, Dandia Bazaar, Baroda, INDIA Ph. +91-265-554979 Fax. C/O
+91-265-451 963 ATTN Himanshu
USA: Lori Udall, Environmental Defense Fund, 1875 connecticut Avenue,
N.W., Washington, D.C. Ph. +1-202-387-3500 Fax +1-202-234-6049.
UK: Patrick McCully/Alex Wilks, the Ecologist, Ph. + 44-258-73746
Fax +44-258-73748 or Fax +44-81-948 5102
Shripad Dharmadhikary
for Narmada Bacao Andolan