here is a news release by Narmada Alert about the dead line of Aug 6, given
by Narmada Bachao Andolan for review ....
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 suicide. As anyone who has been following project and
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
drought prone areas, and that it is economically and socially
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 (Srtuggle 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 of
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 an affected person Devrambhai. In this
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 final report, etc. Obviously, without a
strong chairperson, close 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 6th August passes
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 struggle; 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 he
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 the Medha Patkar, leader
of the struggle, will submerge in the waters . No police or
government will be able to stop them.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
* Send urgently faxes, letters, telegrams to the Prime Minister
and Water Resources Minister at the following address demanding
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 Resource 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: +91-11-3016863 (Res.)
* Distribute this Alert to as many people /groups/ organisations
as possible
* Issue press statements.
* Organize 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, Environment Defence Fund, 1875 Connecticut Ave.
NW 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