Fwd: Urban, Rural displaced join hand at Mumbai: Taste victory against SEZ Monster
Mukta Srivastava
Urban, Rural displaced join hand at Mumbai: Taste victory against SEZ Monster
· Protest rally by more than 3000 project affected people and activists in Mumbai led by Visthapan Virodhi Sangarsh Samiti and Jagatikaran Virodhi Kruti Samiti forces Maharastra Dy. C.M. RR Patil, and Rehab Minister Dr. Patangrao Shripatrao Kadam to discuss the issue and consider demands.
· A major victory for peoples' movement in Maharashtra against Reliance SEZ:
· Simultaneous, Fast and Satyagraha by farmers and activist for 7 days in Pen, Raigad under the banner of " Chaubis Gaon Sangarsh Samiti" forces the Government to exclude 22 fertile villages from Mahamumbai SEZ of Reliance Industries.
· Protesters burn anti- people Housing Policy document tabled by the Government in the current Assembly session and demand pro- people policy.
· Protesters condemn brutal, dictatorial and anti-democratic arrest and by the State police
Farmers were joined by fisher people and labourers, Adivasis, hawkers, urban slum dwellers from various parts of Maharashtra at sandhaurst Road, and marched towards Azad maidan. They all shared one common phenomenon – Victims of Misplaced "Development Policies". A majority hailed from Marathwada, Konkan, Western Maharashtra and Vidarbha.
The peaceful rally was stopped by a large contingent of Police from proceeding to Azad Maidan and agitators were rounded up and condoned off.
This was most undemocratic and dictatorial and shameful act by the Congress Government claiming to carry forward the legacy of Satyagraha.
Representatives and affected people from Narmada Bachao Andolan, Ekvira SEZ Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, National Alliance of People's Movements, Anti-SEZ Struggle Committee, Dharavi Bet Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Mann gaon Bachao Kriti Samiti, Tata Dharn Ghrasth Kriti Samaiti, Sahadhry Bachao Andolan, , Bhu-Sampadan Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, Rangan Gaon MIDC, Khed Taluka Zamin bachao Kriti Samiti, Talegaon MIDC Virodhi Zamin Bachao Kriti Samiti, Aurangabad Samajik Manch, Sapli Dharn Ghrasth Sanghtana, Ghosi Khurd Prakalp Ghrasth Sangharsh Samiti, Rashtriya Seva Dal, Ninam Pen-Ganga Dharn Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, Pethi Dharn Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, Sayukut Nagrik Kriti Samiti(Cargo Hub)-Nagpur, Upper Wardha Dharn Ghrasth Samiti, Shramik Janata Sangh, Shehar Vikas Manch, Aawas Adhikar Sayakut Kriti Samiti, Ghar bachao Ghar banao Andolan, Nirbhey Bano Andolan, Ghatkopar Pheriwala Union Kriti Samaiti, Rama Bai Ambedkar nagar Hatyakhand Virodhi Sangharsh samiti as well as Jagatikaran Virodhi Kruti Samiti and Satya shodhak Kastkari Sangathana participated in the protest and addressed the rally.
Senior activist like Medha Patkar, Bhai Vaidya, ND Patil, Surekha Dalvi, Manav Kamle, Maruti Bhapkar, V asant Shirali, and representatives from different people's movements such as Vilas Bhongade, Bhaskar Ithape, Niketan Palkar, Banda Thakur, Noorji Padvi, Dr. Kolte, Raju, kishore damale , Ashok Dhaule, Bharat Latkar, Suniti S.R. Simpreet Singh, Mohan Chavan, addressed the rally and collectively challenged the present policies, programme and intentions of the government leading to misery, unrest and violence in the society and hailed the people's power and struggle for just and equal society.
Medha Patkar pointed out that development and displacement were the two sides of the same coin. ''To displace people from their livelihood such as to evict urban poor from their homes, taking away fertile lands of farmers and tribals, depriving fishermen from fishing are some of the grave issues of misplaced development plaguing the country.''
Mr N.D. Patil challenged the Mahamumbai SEZ and demanded the exclusion of 22 villages of pen from the SEZ project while Bhai vaidya called for more collective and strong political action against such anti people, anti farmers and anti poor policies promoting the vested interests of the builders, mafia and capitalists.
The Next morning, the representatives were invited for a discussion with Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Mr. RR Patil and Minister of Co-operation,Rehabilitation,Relief Works, Dr. Patangrao Shripatrao Kadam on various issue regarding displacement and rehabilitation.
Various movements submitted their specific memorandums. The main focus of the discussion was on the demands raised by farmers and activists of 24 Gaon Village Sangharsh Samiti who have been on hunger strike since 18 th of July 2007.
People have warned the government to intensify the struggle if their other demands are not met. The Major demands by these movements were:
- Immediate revoking of SEZ act and with immediate effect
- Land based rehabilitation with proper basic facilities to people displaced by MIDC and dams.
- Stop demolition of slum settlements and illegal encroachment of land by builders
- Least displacing options should be preferred in all the development and infrastructure projects.
- Basic services like water, sanitation, health, education, rationing should be provided to the poor residing in rural and urban areas without any cut-off date.
- ULCR Act should not be repealed and the State Housing policy should be finalized only after hearing and considering the opinion and demands of people's organizations and movements.
Mukta Srivastava, Yogini Khanolkar, Pervin Jehangir
Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less.
