Press Invitation for 18th july pen

[mukta srivastava]

24 Gaon Sangharsh Samiti , Raigad, Maharashtra

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Press Invitation :  16th July 2007

 

 20 farmers and activists begin an “indefinite fast” against Land Acquisition for SEZ - Fierce Resistance continues

 

Date: 18th July 2007 onwards

Time: 10.30 a.m.

Venue: Outside Tehsil office of Pen

The Centre has permitted Maharashtra to go ahead with issuing notices, under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, in 29 villages failing under the Maha Mumbai Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) proposed by the Reliance group in Raigad district. Section 6 is a declaration that land has been acquired for a public purpose.

More than 20 farmers and activists from 24 villages in Pen Taluka, District Raigad Maharashtra, faced with the its fertile agricultural land being acquired for the Mumbai SEZ will be starting an indefinite fast from 18th July outside the Tehsil Office in Pen, opposing and condemning the continuing Land Acquisition for the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance group’s 10,000-hectare Mumbai SEZ.   It is ironical that even after the assurance of the Chief Minister Shri Vials Rao Deshmukhji, to the activists and the affected villagers during their meeting on 12th Dec 2006, this illegal process of serving notices is continuing.

The farmers will fast to demand for:

·        Exclude 24 villages, of Pen, Raigad, Maharashtra from the SEZ.

·        Investigate thoroughly the fraud cases against Reliance

·        Protect the environment of the coastal area and protect the livelihoods of the fisher people.

·        No acquisition without the proper certification by the full village Panchyat.

·        Due to the polluted acidic water seeping in the farms by IPCL of Reliance Industries, the harvest has been totally destroyed. We demand just investigation in the pollution issue and the farmers must be compensated for their loss.

·        Release the water from Hatvane Dam for agriculture to the farmers Immediately

·        Repeal SEZ act.

You are cordially invited to cover the event.

                            Sincerely Yours,

Anant Patil ,  Subhash Mahtre,  Ulaka Mahajan , Surekha Dalvi

( 24 Gaon Sangharsh Samiti & Jagatikaran Virodhi Kruti Samiti )

Contact: Ulka Mahajan: 09869232478   E-mail: mumba...@gmail.com