MP HC issues notice to Govt over rights of SSP displaced

Jabalpur, Aug 5 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notice to the state government on a petition seeking protection of rights of people affected by the Sardar Sarovar project.

Admitting a letter petition sent by Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar from Indore jail as PIL, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Anang Kumar Patnaik and Justice Ajit Singh on August 3 issued notice to the Barwani Collector and the Superintendent of Police and sought reply within seven days.

The petitioner told the court that those displaced in thousands of villages due to the Sardar Sarovar project were fighting for their rights regarding land and property in a non-violent manner.

The petitioner stated that police not only tortured those who were agitating for their rights in Barwani on July 25 but also arrested them under section 151 of the IPC depriving them of their constitutional rights.

The petition urged the court to issue necessary directions for providing land in lieu of land and adequate compensation to the dam-affected people in light of the Supreme Court directive in this regard.

UNI