Dehra Dun, Mar 24: Continuing her campaign against big dams, Magsaysay award winner activist Medha Patkar today demanded speedy rehabilitation of those affected by the controversial Tehri hydel project. Patkar blamed the Uttaranchal government for "not doing anything" to mitigate the suffering of the project affected people and called for an immediate suspension of the construction of the dam.
"The state government is fully responsible for the agony and trauma being faced by hundreds of displaced persons affected by the Tehri dam", she told reporters as she reached Dehra Dun as part of her nationwide yatra that began from Kerala.
Patkar said she would meet environment activist Sunderlal Bahuguna and lend her support for the cause people of Tehri.
Several studies suggested that the Tehri dam was being built on high seismic zone prone to earthquakes, she said.
Patkar also said that she would soon visit Ayodhya to launch a campaign against the Sangh Parivar for exploiting sentiments of Hindus under the pretext of temple construction.
Bureau Report