SSP oustees seize govt land in MP district

Barwani, MP, July 13 (UNI) Hundreds of Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) oustees led by Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar today seized about 100 acres of government land near Taloon village, in the vicinity of this district headquarters, in support of their demand for alternative plots.

A heavy police force rushed to the spot.

Oustees from this and Jhabua district unleashed a 'Zameen Hak Satyagraha', seized the land belonging to the Agricultural Science Centre and State Seeds and Farm Development Corporation, and put flags at several points.

''In the event of the Sardar Sarovar dam attaining a height of 122 m, government statistics say that more than two lakh residents of 200 villages will be in danger of submergence. Dam construction is progressing in violation of legal provisions and conditions which stipulate that rehabilitation should be completed first,'' claimed Ms Patkar.

Alleging that alternate plots were not being allotted as the government did not possess land for that purpose, she added that heavy corruption was taking place under a Special Rehabilitation Package.

''Today's satyagraha-related action could be replayed elsewhere.

Law gives every hungry person the right to satisfy his or her hunger. Every aspect of SSP should be evaluated and monitored,'' Ms Patkar felt.

''The administration has taken a serious view of the encroachment and initiated legal action. Most people have benefited from the Special Rehab Package,'' Barwani Collector S K Pal told UNI