Nasik, June 02: As the indefinite fast by Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar demanding rehabilitation of people affected by Sardar Sarovar project before the monsoon entered the fourth day today, NBA activists today met former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh who assured that he would discuss the issue with his successor Sushilkumar Shinde. Patkar was looking weak on the fourth day of her fast, NBA spokesperson Pratibha Shinde told here.
She added that Deshmukh supported Patkar's demands and said during his regime, the government's stance was to first rehabilitate the affected people and then increase the height of the dam.
Meanwhile, organisations of oustees, including those of SSP, have threatened to join the indefinite protest if the meeting convened by the state irrigation government for discussing displacement and resettlement was not held as per schedule by June 5.
In a strongly worded letter to rehabilitation minister Vilaskaka Patil, the NBA alleged police tried to intimidate tribals in Chimalkhedi village in Akkalkuwa Tehsil on May 29 on "flimsy pretext". It also warned of “confrontation” in the villages.
It alleged the that resettlement officer in Taloda extorted Rs 10,000 each from several farmers willing to sell their barren lands for the resettlement.
Bureau Report