Full support to NBA on rehabilitation issue: CPI

Kochi, Apr 17 (UNI) The CPI today said it fully supported the struggle of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar to ensure rehabilitation of all people displaced due to the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Party National Secretary D Raja told reporters here that all governments, be that of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra or Rajasthan or the Centre, could not shirk the responsibility of resettling the people affected by the project.

''We support NBA and Medha Patkar on this one issue, the issue of rehabilitation and resettlement. The poor, especially tribals, cannot be left to suffer.'' Ms Patkar, who has been spearheading the NBA campaign against raising the height of the dam, was hospitalised yesterday in New Delhi on the 19th day of her indefinite hunger strike and continued to be in a serious condition.

The Supreme Court, meanwhile, in its ruling today said it would have to stop the ongoing construction on the dam if the oustees were not rehabilitated properly.

Mr Raja lauded the NBA leader for her success in bringing the issue into focus.

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