Salkhan Murmu begins 52-hour fasting to support Medha

Jamshedpur, Apr 17 (UNI) Chief convenor of Adivasi Adhikhar Manch (AAM) Salkhan Murmu today began a 52-hour fast at Sakchi here to extend support to NBA protagonist Medha Patkar and actor Amir Khan and counter Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's 51-hour fast.

Mr Murmu, a former BJP MP, demanding that a National Rehabilitation Policy should be constituted soon following the largescale displacement of adivasis and poor, said he was inspired by the statements of Amir Khan and decided to go for the 52-hour fasting shelving the AAM's previous stand of day-long token hunger strike.

Charging Mr Modi as ''anti-trbal and anti-poor'' the AAM leader said ''We are not against the construction of Narmada dam or any other developmental projects but before starting such projects adequate rehabilitation package should be provided.'' Talking to UNI, Mr Murmu said, ''Through the fasting I am tryig to respond and respect the commitments of Ms Patkar and Mr Khan towards the hapless people, who are the victim of the governments unplanned policy.'' Mr Murmu said he was even contemplating to call Ms Patkar and Mr Khan soon in Jharkhand to participate in AAM and Left-sponsored rallies in Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dumka.

''AAM will raise voice against the Jharkhand government's policy to displace the poor tribals in the name of setting up industries and power plants. AAM also demands scrapping of 42 MoUs signed by the state government if the government fails to provide adequate rehabilitation to the people those lands would be taken,'' Mr Murmu said.

He said the left parties, including the CPI (M), had also extended support to his fasting programme.

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