With the jal satyagraha (a form of protest by standing inside water) being undertaken by peasants affected by the submergence zone of the Omkareshwar Dam entering 25th day at Goghalgaon in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district, several farmers on Wednesday staged demonstration at Board Office Square in the State Capital.
While talking to mediapersons, Narmada Bachao Andolan activist Chitroopa Palit told that 20 agriculturists are observing Jal Satyagraha for 25 days while 45 others are observing Jal Satyagraha for a fortnight. The condition of about 25 satyagrahis is deteriorating. Stressing on the need for bringing the dam’s water level down from 191 metre to 189 metre and carrying out proper rehabilitation, she demanded that the dam affected should be granted at least five-acre land each or be given a grant enabling them to buy as much land elsewhere.
The displaced should be granted plots and agricultural land close to each other. Palit said that no effort has been made to rehabilitate 2,500 peasants affected by the dam by either providing them land in lieu of land or money so that they could purchase the land themselves.
“Whatever land has been offered, is non-cultivable or is encroached upon. If the Government does not have land, it could provide grant to people to purchase land of their choice,” she said, adding that their fight would continue until justice was delivered. Aam Admi Party (AAP) leaders Atishri and Akshay Hunka said the peasants were forced to resort to Jal Satyagraha to seek the implementation of government policies and the Supreme Courts observation that are in their favour presently. They said the plight of farmers could be imagined when the new land Acquisition Bill became a law.