Narmada project-affected persons start agitation, burn effigy

Vadodara: Sardar Sarovar project-affected persons (PAP) started an agitation raising a series of demands ahead of the dedication of the Statue of Unity. Police detained 16 agitators on Saturday for burning an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Apart from irrigation water and lack of basic amenities, the major demands raised by the PAFs include compensation as per the policy for those displaced from Madhya Pradesh and jobs for a member of each family of the PAFs. Activists had observed a relay fast at Kevadia colony for over a year between June 15, 2016, and July 17, 2017, but called off the agitation after promises that the issues will be resolved. State education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama and others also held meetings to discuss the issues, but nothing moved ahead.

As the date for the dedication of the Statue of Unity to the country nears, the activists have decided to conduct a series of agitation programmes. On Saturday, the PM’s effigy was burnt at Golagamdi crossroads in Sankheda taluka. Activist Mahesh Tadvi said the effigy was burnt because Modi had promised in an election rally in 2017 that issues of PAPs would be resolved.

Tadvi claimed that apart from PAPs, other outfits working for tribals like Bhilistan Tiger Sena and Indigenous Army of India that have a significant support base in Narmada district and surrounding areas had also given a bandh call on October 31, the day the statue will be dedicated to the nation. He said that households of PAPs will not be cooking food on that day.

“Tribal households do not cook food on the day the last rites of someone are performed as a part of mourning. For us, the day is similar to mourning,” said Tadvi.

Sankheda police detained 16 people in connection with the effigy burning incident. Activists said more such programmes will be conducted in the coming days.