Adivasis' stage dharna in support of Mehda Patkar

Hyderabad, Apr 12: 'Adivasis' and social activists from different parts of Andhra Pradesh staged a dharna here today in support of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar agitating against raising of the Narmada dam.

The dharna organised by the anti-Polavaram Dam, Solidarity Committee in front of the Sudarayya Park, brought together over 20 organisations to express solidarity with Ms Medha and Jamsing Nargave, who were continuing their fast in hospital and Bhagwatibai Patidar at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

Committee Convener S Jeevan Kumar told newspersons that fasting NBA activists represented hopes and aspirations of millions of people, who faced displacement on the pretext of so called ''development'' in the country.

Expressing concern over alarming escalation of violence in the name of development on advasis in Kalinganagar, Orissa and on the fishing community in Gangavaram, Andhra Pradesh, Mr Kumar said he found fault with the State Government for going ahead with the Polavaram Project, which would displace over two lakh people, a majority of whom were adivasis.

A signature campaign was also organised in support of the NBA activists, demanding the release of Ms Padkar.

UNI

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