천주교인권위원회

천주교 인권위원회
Catholic Center 3F, 1, 2-ga, Myong-dong, Chung-gu, Seoul, 100-022, South Korea
TEL : +82-2-777-0643 FAX: +82-2-775-6267 E-mail : chrc@chollian.net

April 13, 2001
Dr. K.R. Narayanan
The Honourable President of India
Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi 110 004
India

Your Excelleney,

We write with deep concern for the 1000 families of Bhil and Bhilala Adivasi in 17 villages who will be submerged by the Man Project in the Narmada Valley by June 2001without proper resettlement. We are also extremely concerned about the arrest of Adivasis trying to protect their livelihood and their supporters.
It is quite shocking to learn from reports that 56 million people have already been displaced by dam projects, out of which, 60-70% are Adivasis. The first dam in Narmada, completed in 1989, has reportedly displaced over 1 million people from 162 villages without any rehabilitation and resettlement. Please do not let the same displacement happen again in the Man Project. Displacement without resettlement is a violation of the conditions of clearance from the Central Environmental Ministry.

To stop the construction that drowns the lands of hundreds of families every day, about a thousand Man-affected Adivasis demanded for justice last 21 March 2001. They peacefully occupied the dam site to prevent any further construction until the state government completely rehabilitates all families. 300 were arrested, including women and children who were reportedly ill-treated. While most have been released, some leaders were still held in jail for old cases filed against them. Thank You

Yours Sincerely,

(Ms.) Regina Pyon, Yeon-Shik
Chair of Internal Solidary Committee
Korean Catholic Human Rights Committee

c.c.
Shri Digvijay Singh
Chief Minister Madhya Pradesh
Vallabh Bhavan Madhya Pradesh
India

2002-05-09 16:56:54

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