[Reader-list] Appeal against the externment order issued to social activist Vaishali Patil in Jaitapur For endorsement

[asit das]

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January 20, 2012

To,

The Home Minister,

Government of Maharashtra,



*Subject: Appeal against the externment order issued to social activist
Vaishali Patil in Jaitapur*



Vaishali Patil, a prominent social activist who has been part of movements
for justice, sustainability and equality in Maharashtra, including the
struggle of local people against the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, has
once again been prevented from entering the Ratnagiri district .

The people’s movement in Jaitapur has raised serious questions regarding
safety and economic rationales of the nuclear power park under construction
and its potential impacts on the lives and livelihoods of the surrounding
population. Instead of responding to these questions, the government
through the local administration has resorted to draconian measures in the
past, including imposing Section 144 and preventing reputed social figures
like Justice PB Sawant and Justice Kolse Patil from entering Ratnagiri.
Even as this repression by the administration was held illegal in the past
by the court, the DySP of Lanja has issued externment order against Ms.
Vaishali Patil under the provisions of the Mumbai Police Act 1951.



While the activists against the project are being repeatedly harassed,
those disrupting the anti-nuclear meetings have been treated leniently by
the same administration.

We strongly condemn and protest such repressive and selective measures to
intimidate activists and suppress the peaceful democratic protests.  Nuclear
power plants have come under questions in every corner of the country where
they are being constructed and the government must engage with people to
reach to a solution.

We urge you to look into the matter at the earliest and ensure that issues
raised by democratic and peaceful protests are resolved politically rather
than meet such repression and high-handedness on part of the state.

Copies to:

Chief Minister, Maharashtra,

Prime Minister of India,

President of India

Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission



With best regards,

Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP), New Delhi

Indian social Action Forum

Sanghamitra and Surendra Gadekar, Sampoorna Kranti Vidyalaya (Gujarat)

Asit Das                       POSCO Pratirodh Solidarity Delhi

Vijay Pratap                 Socialist Front





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