Police evict 'Jal Satyagraha' protesters in Harda

 

Harda (MP): Police on Wednesday broke up a 'Jal Satyagraha' after pulling out the protesters from waters, who were demanding land as compensation and reduction of height of the dam for the Indira Sagar project at Khardana village in the district.

The Khardana District Collector of Khardana, where prohibitory orders were also imposed, Commissioner and senior police officials tried to persuade the protesters to give up their agitation, but when they refused to budge, police cracked down and pulled them out of the waters today.

On the occasion, police arrested Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Chittarupa Palit and over 100 protesters.

This came two days after a similar protest was called off in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh following an assurance from the state government that the affected villagers would be given land as compensation and the height of Omkareshwar Dam would be reduced.

However, the Jal Satyagrahis at Khardana have stuck to their demands and said they would continue with their agitation.

Some protesters were also taken to hospital whose condition deteriorated after standing in deep waters.

Meanwhile, state Home Minister Uma Shankar Gupta said that the administration was forced to take the step as it was concerned about the health of the 'satyagrahis'.

The minister alleged that the Congress had misled the farmers and the administration and the government "cannot remain a silent spectator" to the issue.

On September 10, the state government had agreed to give land for land to the displaced villagers in Khandwa and reduce the dam height to 189 metres, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said.

Both were key demands of protesters, who were standing in neck-deep water since August 25 to agitate for proper rehabilitation and compensation.

In Harda, the protesters are demanding land for land and reduction in the height of the dam for the Indira Sagar Project to 260 metres.