Dear All, Copied below is the press release from Gujarat activists who are under house arrest in Rajpipla near Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat. Several tribals and activists have been arrested in wee hours of the morning today. Their crime? They wanted to peacefully protests against the ongoing construction of Garudeshwar weir dam on Narmada river, since it is completely unnecessary and in any case no social or environmental impact assessment has been done, no permission from Environment Sub Group and Rehabilitation sub groups of Narmada Control Authority has been taken, there is not even an environmental management plan or rehabilitation plan. People were also demanding that the government give in writing the promises they made to the tribals of the 6 villages around Kevadia Colony, displaced over half a century ago, but their R&R package is still under discussion and to the demand of removing 70 villages from the ambit of KADA (Kevadia Area Development Authority). It seems the Gujarat government wont allow peaceful, democratic protests of tribals and activists and indulges in completely unwarranted repressive measures. This is clearly no acceptable in any democratic society. Hope you will find this useful. Best wishes, Himanshu -- Press Release Date: 31 October 2013, 6.30 a.m. · Gujarat Government crack downs on right to freedom of expression. · Activist and villagers detained and house arrests in wee hours of the 31st morning. · Gujarat Government says tribles and activists do not speak up when CM is around or go to jail, at Kevadia. On 30 October 2013, we 4 activists, Rohit Prajapati, Trupti Shah, Amrish Brahmbhatta, Sudhir Biniwale, were put under house arrest by Rajpipal police even before they had reached venue. They were followed by police vehicles right form Devalia chokadi when they were travailing from Vadodara to Rajpipala. When they reached the place in Rajapiala there are as standing guards out side the place as if they are criminals. No policemen talked with them why they are doing so, what are the charges against them. Meanwhile our activists and villagers from more than 7 villages are being detained from their homes by the police, again without pressing any formal charges. At midnight our activist Lakhan Musafir, Dhirendra Soneji, Dipen Desai, Rameshbhai Tadvi from Indravarna village, Shaileshbai Tadvi form Vagadia village, Vikrambhai Tadvi and 2 others form Kevadia and other villagers were detained illegally to create atmosphere of terror inside villages to prevent planned well-announced peaceful hunger strike in villages. As we are writing this at 6 a.m. on 31st morning so far we know at least 10 people from 5 villages are detained and taken to various police stations. We fear further more police action shortly. This press release is to communicate that we activist and villagers had only announced symbolic protest in our own houses by staging day long hunger strike. Note, we were not to assemble at any public place or sit on dharana at any public place. The sit on protest in our own home is aimed at protecting our land, forest, livelihood, river, (jan ,jangal jamin, nadi, janavar). Only because the Gujarat chief minister Mr. Narendra Modi is schedule to preside the program for his plans for what he called the world’s largest statue, ‘The statue of Unity’. We had been denied the fundamental right to express our rights even in our own home. The statue of unity comes at what cost whose cost? Rohit Prajapati Swati Desai Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti For More detail Rohit Prajapati © 9426977940, Trupti Shah © 9427937162, Dipen Desai © 9427922.46 _________________________________ Rohit Prajapati / Trupti Shah 37, Patrakar Colony, Tandalja Road, Post-Akota, Vadodara - 390 020 GUJARAT, INDIA Phone No. (O) + 91 - 265 - 2320399 Email No: rohit.prajapati@gmail
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 03:04:32 +0000
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