Farmers of M.P. villages protest relocation order

They lie in Sardar Sarovar submergence zone

On the edge: A view of the Narmada River, in Barwani Dist of Madhya Pradesh.

Farmers from 20 Madhya Pradesh villages that are in the submergence zone of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, on Tuesday observed fast against the administation’s order asking them to vacate their villages.

The Gujarat government had closed all the 30 gates of the dam after obtaining permission from the Narmada Control Authority, causing the dam’s water level to rise to 133 metres from 122 metres.

Rising water level

Although this was expected to generate hydel power and meet the drinking water requirements of parts of the State, the rising water level would submerge many villages in the surrounding areas.

“We are at present, observing a relay hunger strike to protest the order to vacate the villages. A total of 200 people across 20 villages are fasting every day to make the point that they do not want to abandon their villages,” said Rahul Yadav of the Narmada Bachao Andolan.

Basic facilities

“They want to be rehabilitated in areas which had facilities like their villages and not in areas which lacked basic facilities,’’ Mr. Rahul Yadav added. “The Supreme Court had said that the villages should be vacated by the end of the month. Rehabilitation has been offered to them and officials have visited the sites and expressed satisfaction with the facilities offered,” Barwani PRO Swadesh Silawat told The Hindu over phone.