In Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa area, 51 people stayed immersed in water for the 17th day on Friday in what's being called a 'jal satyagraha'. The protestors are demanding compensation and rehabilitation for villagers whose homes will be submerged under water after the state government's order of opening all the gates of the Omkareshwar dam in Madhya Pradesh.
The protestors, members of the 'Narmada Bachao Andolan', say the government's decision to increase the water level of the Omkareshwar on the Narmada without rehabilitating people living in low lying villages is a violation of a Supreme Court order, which says villagers must be rehabilitated at least six months before such a move is implemented.
"Till the time water level comes down to 189 and as per court orders, we get the 5 acre land. And labourers get Rs. 2.5 lakh. Till that time even if we die, we will sit here," said one of the 51 protestors at Madhya Pradesh's Ghogal village, who have been sitting in water for the past 13 days.
Despite the deteriorating health of the protestors, the government has so far offered no medical help. No one from the local administration has visited the spot of the protest.
The water of the Omkareshwar dam has already risen to 190.5 meters and its effects can been seen in Ghogal, Kaamankheda and 28 other villages, where crops have been damaged.
Effects Of Jal Satyagrah:
Bhopal: Bowing before the villagers who have standing in neck-deep water for 17 days demanding reduction in the water level of the Omkareshwar dam, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday 10th Sept.,announced the reduction of the water level to 189 metres.
Addressing a press conference, the Madhya Pradesh CM said, "Taking into account of the present situation, the state government has decided to reduce the water level to 189 metres from the current 190.5 metres."
The Chief Minister also announced that the affected villagers will be given land-for-land within 90 days.It has been decided that the villagers who will return 50 percent of the compensation allotted to them by the state government earlier will also be given land and rehabilitated.However, there was no word from Chouhan regarding the Indira Sagar Dam, where also a group of villagers are protesting in neck-deep water over similar demands.
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