National Alliance of People’s Movements
Press Release
26-27th January 2008
The First Meeting at 2.00 P.M. in Nandigram
Torch Light Rally During Late Evening
The much-awaited Jattha from Nandigram via Narmada to Gorai commences today, 26th Jan, The Jattha is expected to raise a number of issues related to violation of people’s rights, especially use of force against peaceful democratic agitations, coerced displacement, land rights, right to life and livelihood, inadequacy of the land acquisition act as also destructive
development and communal violence.
The first meeting of the Jattha will take place at 2.00 p.m. on 26th January, in Nandigram. A torch light rally, with the women of Nandigram, will take place in the evening. The team of about 30 activists is expected to reach Singur for night halt.
The participants include Amarnathbhai of Sarva Seva Sangh, Romabahen, Gautambhai of Nadi Ghati Morcha, Nandlalbhai of National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), U.P., Sajeevan bhai of NCDHR, Sandhya bahen of Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti, Kalyanbhai Sen Gupta of Gana Mukti Parishad, Sudiptobhai andMuradbhai of Hawker Sangram Samiti, Arunbhai Bhattacharya and Debjitbhai ofNAPM West Bengal, Satyenbhai of Samajwadi Jan Parishad, Mauryabahen of GharBachao Ghar Banao Abhiyan, Mumbai, Girishbhai of Delhi Support Group andSangharsh 2007 and Medha Patkar of the Narmada Bachao Andolan and NAPM.
Ramdayalji Munda and his cultural team also reached at Nandigram from Jharkhand and he raised the issues of people struggle through traditional adivasi Music and dance.
Rs. 50,000 will be donated to Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee for rehabilitation of severely affected people and also as a mark of commitment to raise sufficient funds towards the cause.
The torch rally in Audiogram will be led by Radar Rani Adi, who suffered violence during the CPM-led recapture of Nandigram.
The Jattha then reached Singur and the members of the Jattha met the Krishi Jami Raksha Samiti and discussed the present situation in Singur,
27th Jan 2008
Today morning people had discussion with the M. L. A. of the area and raised issues with him on human rights violation, displacement and devastation in Singur due to wrong development policies which is leading to usurpation of resources including fertile land at the cost of life and livelihoods of farmers and those dependent on agriculture.
Meanwhile, Bhupendra Rawat, Activist working with people struggling against demolition of so called “un authorized colonies’ in New Delhi, joined the Jattha.
The Jattha also visited Kana river, where they were informed by the local people that about 80 per cent of the total land is being irrigated under the Damodar Valley irrigation plan.
Meetings were held in 4 villages including Ghoppada, Gopal Nagar, Bazbhelia and Beraberi. In Bazbheria and Beraberi people came in large numbers to attend the meeting.
They asserted that despite the recent judgment, they are determined to fight because this is the question of availing justice and not judgment.
While sharing their experiences many local people from Singur said that they had to question the State, The corporate and the Judiciary on the anti people policies that affecting their lives and livelihood.
Representatives from various movements in the Jattha were shown the Tata shed and the rich, fertile and green fields surrounding the area. They also showed the representatives, samples of the large potatoes that are grown in those fields.
From here onwards till Gorai (concluding place of the Jattha) Radha Rani , Uma Panda, Pratap Padi, Nibha Panda, Manoj Panda, Badal Bera and Sheikh Sultan from Nandigram, and Basudev Das, Ram Das, Milan Khada, Shyam Padkole, and Amita Baag from Singur have joined the Jattha.
The Jattha will reach Bokaro, in Jharkhand tomorrow.
From here onwards till Gorai (concluding place of the Jattha) Radha Rani , Uma Panda, Pratap Padi, Nibha Panda, Manoj Panda, Badal Bera and Sheikh Sultan from Nandigram, and Basudev Das, Ram Das, Milan Khada, Shyam Padkole, and Amita Baag from Singur have joined the Jattha.
The Jattha will reach Bokaro, in Jharlkhand tomorrow.
Social activists like Sandeep Pandey and many others will join the Jattha in
the coming days. The Jattha culminates at Gorai, in Mumbai on 4th February 2008
Gautam Bandopadhyay (098261-71304), Medha Patkar (094239-65153)
