[Reader-list] Action Alert Protest against the Arrest of Medha Patkar, Aradhana Bhargav and other activists

[asit das]

*Action Alert Protest against the Arrest of Medha Patkar, Aradhana Bhargav
and other activists*





Dear Friend and Comrades,



Yesterday the country witnessed The Primerminister, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul
Gandhi hood winking the toiling massages of this country justifying FDI and
Plunder of Natural resources ostensibly in the name of the Aamadmi. While
this Farce of democracy is enacted by the political agents of the ruling
‘lasses’, they unleash brutal state repression on mass movements and
activists who oppose this plunder. Madhya Pradesh has been witnessing this
resign of terror by successive State governments, who want to handover the
natural resources to national and International big business and in the
processes dispossering hundreds of thousands of Peasants, Adivasis,
artisans and other rural working poor. The narrative of the cruel
development process in chhindwara is a testimony to this incestuous nexus
between politicians, police and big business. Dr. Sunilam the leader of
Kisan Sangharsn Samity was physically attacked by the Goons of Adami power
limited because he was opposing the handover of peasants land for the super
profits of Adani group. Dr. Sunilam was given life imprisonment by the
powers that be to teach a lesson for upholding the Farmers interest.
Chhindwara is the backyard of the tycoon turned politician Kamal Nath who
uses state repression and strong arm tactics to forcibly push destructive
projects in this predominantly Adivasi region of Madhya Pradesh after the
imprisonment of Dr. Sunilam the state government has turned on other
activists who oppose the mealiaval terror and forcible diplacenwm in
chhindwara. On third November 2012 Advocate Aradhana Bhargav who need one
to her home for the Tervi (death ceremony) of her mother was arrested. This
was done to prempt the agitation against the forcible displacement by the
upcoming Pench water diversion project (PWDP) which is forced on the
hapless Farmers to supply water to Adani Power Project. On Sunday Night
Medha Patkar and 21 others activist were arrested from Advocate Aradhana
Bhargavs residence to scuttle the peaceful dharna against Penchwater
diversion project. We should all raise over voices against this brutal
state repression against the mass movements in Madhya Pradesh.



A draft Memorandum to the C.M. of Madhya Pradesh is attached His email and
fax No. are as follows: *Email : cm at mp.nic.in *

Office Phone: +91 755 2441581, +91 755 2441033, Office Fax: +91 755 2441781







* *

*Regards,*

* *

* *

*Asit Das*



 November 5, 2012



To

Shri. Shivraj Singh Chauhan

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal



Dear Shri Chauhan,



We condemn the life sentence to Dr. Sunilam, Suryavanshi Parmandal and
Prahlad Agarwal on charges of murder, arson and others which, your
Government has falsely charged them for the murder of a fire brigade driver
at Multai on January 12th, 1998 when police gunned down 23 farmers.



We also condemn the arrest and illegal detention of Medha Patkar, Adv.
Aradhana Bhargava,
leader of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, Brajkishore Chaurasia, and Dr. Rajkumar
Sanodia, who were visiting Chindwara, to extend support to people
protesting against Pench Water Diversion Project (PWDP) and Adani Pench
Power Project (APPP).



PWDP today is to be constructed for supplying water to the APPP, diverting
water meant for the farmers. Last year KSS along with NAPM met Environment
Minister, Ms. Jayanti Natarajan , who informed the delegation that no
clearance has been granted to the PWDP and under the law they are supposed
to have prior Environment Clearance. The PWDP is going to threaten the
forests of Pench National Park and Tiger Project too. So, in all senses it
makes no sense to be constructing this but even then MoEF has not taken any
action. Mr. Kamal Nath, MP and Union Minister from Chindwara has been
personally involved in ensuring that the project goes on and been
supporting the APPP as well. Madhya Pradesh Government on the other hand
has been in complete hand in glove with Mr. Kamal Nath. It is no wonder
that Dr. Sunilam and other activists of KSS got life sentence in a case
where 24 farmers were killed by police on January 12, 1998. None of the
police officers have been punished till date, not a single FIR has been
filed in that case. It is a clear case of conspiracy and collusion between
BJP and Congress in the interest of Adani.



In January 1998, police firing happened when farmers of Multai protested
demanding better compensation from the Digvijay Singh Government after crop
failure due to rain and cold. The core issue of farmer’s killing has been
completely ignored by the MP Government to such an extent that not even a
single FIR was registered against those officials who ordered the firing.
Instead the police booked Dr. Sunilam & other leaders of Kisan Sangharsh
Samiti (KSS), who were leading the farmers protest. In last 9 years BJP
government has withdrawn nearly 1,75,000 cases against its own workers but
has failed to do any justice to the farmers of Multai, who not only lost
their dear ones but also didn't get any justice till date and are having to
go to court on every hearing. Many of these farmers are already dead in
fact.



In a brazen act of rights violation on November 3rd, in early morning
Advocate Aradhana Bhargawa, leader KSS was arrested and detained by the
Madhya Pradesh police in anticipation of the forced acquisition process
starting on November 4th. The arrest of Dr. Sunilam & the detention of
Advocate Aradhana Bhargawa are purposely done in order to suppress the
Farmer’s struggle of Madhya Pradesh.



We condemn such vindictive move by your Government and its nexus with
corrupt political forces and using your administrative machinery to
facilitate pecuniary benefits to private corporations.



We demand that the MP government immediately withdrawal these fabricated
cases against Dr. Sunilam & other leaders of KSS, so that they can be
released from Bhopal Central Jail. We also demand immediate release of
Medha Patkar and others from custody. Immediately stop all forcible
acquisition of land for the Pench Water Diversion Project or Adani Power
Plant against the wishes of the villagers, who have passed resolution in
their Gram Sabha to that effect as well.



We hope you will take appropriate actions at the earliest.



Sincerely,