NBA protests land for MNCs

Bhopal, May 19 (UNI) The Narmada Bachao Andolan has protested Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's promise to allot land to the multinational companies in Madhya Pradesh while ''not giving priority for proper rehabilitation'' of villagers displaced following construction of dams on the Narmada river.

NBA activist Chittaroopa Palit told reporters here today that the High Court had issued directives that the displaced people shall be provided irrigated agricultural land.

Ms Palit did not confirm that the people who demonstrated during Mr Chouhan's recent visit to the United States were associated with the Andolan, but said the demonstrators reportedly raised the issues relating to the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy and those displaced by the dams on the Narmada.

Meanwhile, NBA welcomed Madhya Pradesh High Court's yesterday's ruling staying reservoir filling of the Omkareshwar dam in the Narmada valley for want of rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced people.

UNI