The ‘public hearing’ for Chutka Nuclear Power Project in Mandla district of the State was conducted by the district administration and MP Pollution Control Board on Monday amidst reports of large scale protest by local tribals.
The public hearing for the project started in Manegaon village under tight security provisions by the administration which had deployed SAF units to meet any untoward incidents. The tribals who have been protesting the project since its inception alleged that they were stopped by the security forces from entering into the local Government school where public-hearing took place.
When the tribals protested against the high-handed approach of security forces, they were allowed to enter, but as soon as they raised objection to the project in the hearing, they were opposed by many other persons supporting the project. The tribals alleged that these people used abusive language and even threatened them.
“This is completely fake jan sunvai (public hearing). We have opposing this project since very long. last year the government was forced to cancel this public hearing twice due to our opposition. But this time the Government has deployed huge force to suppress our voices,” said Meera Devi, a tribal woman of Chutka village who has organized a women’s group to protest against the project.
She further alleged that the administration had brought selected people who supported the project
inside the premises of the public hearing early in the morning itself.
“Most of these people are rich men and traders who hope to benefit from the project by selling land at higher cost,” Meera Devi further said.