Samyukta Kisan Morcha Supports Narmada Bachao Andolan's Hunger Strike

Shameful that Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Displaced Farmers from 245 Villages has not been Achieved in 39 Years
NEW DELHI: Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), in a press release issued on the sixth day of the indefinite hunger strike by Medha Patkar, leader of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, at Chikhilda village in Barwani district of Narmada Valley, stated that it is shameful that the Central Government and the Government of Madhya Pradesh have failed to rehabilitate the farmers, laborers, fishermen, potters, boatmen, shopkeepers, etc., even after submerging 245 villages over the past 39 years. This failure has forced the Narmada Bachao Andolan to undertake an indefinite hunger strike.

SKM has expressed concern over the health of Medha Patkar, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past five days.

SKM demands the complete rehabilitation of thousands of displaced people from Madhya Pradesh and hundreds from Maharashtra and Gujarat, in accordance with the Narmada Tribunal's decision, the Narmada Rehabilitation Policy, and all orders of the Supreme Court and High Courts. This includes the rehabilitation of farmers, laborers, fishermen, potters, boatmen, shopkeepers, etc., the rehabilitation of displaced people who have been living in tin sheds for six years, and full compensation for families affected by the 2023 illegal submersion, including the 15,946 families excluded from submersion who have lost their homes, fields, and crops. They also demand that the water level of the Sardar Sarovar Dam be maintained at 122 metres and the gates of the Sardar Sarovar Dam be kept open as per the law and court orders until all rehabilitation work is complete.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha demands that the Minister of Water Resources immediately convene a meeting of the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Gujarat to ensure complete rehabilitation as per the 2019 Supreme Court decision.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha also demands the Narmada Control Authority to ensure compliance with the 2019 Supreme Court directives.