Kisan Sangharsh Samiti (KSS)
founder president, ex-MLA Dr Sunilam and KSS Vice-President advocate Aradhana
Bhargava expresses its solidarity with the struggling villagers of Mundra Taluk of Kachchh district, Gujarat against the new
ship breaking/recycling facility proposed by Gautam Adani led Adani
Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZL).
The experience of KSS with the
Adani’s Pench power project in Chindwara, Madhya Pradesh
has shown us that Aadani Group
has no respect for laws of the land. Now it is apparent that they using the
same tactics in Mundra, Gujarat. For
Adani’s public hearings are an empty formality and an eye wash. The concerns of the affected people have
never been dealt with in a democratic way under their influence. This company
is in the habit of initiating their work without waiting for environmental
clearances. In Chindwara, this company encroached upon the forest land and
started its work. The protest by KSS resulted in the imposition of fine on the
company and the district administrative authorities ordered the removal of
encroachment but the company has not complied with the orders till date. Adani
Group has snatched away the irrigation water of 50 villages affected by Pench
diversion project in Chindwara.
The management of Adani and its
goons attacked the leaders of KSS and managed the local police in such a way
that in spite of direct communication with the Superintendent of Police, the
police party reached the spot after two and a half hours when national media
carried the news of deadly attack on the leaders.
KSS forewarns the villagers and
the protesting organizations to be ready to cope with the anti-social
activities of the company in question.
KSS realizes that all the
struggles opposing the anti-people and anti-environment projects of Adani Group
are essentially part of the same struggle for ensuring justice to the local
people.
KSS invites the leaders opposing
the Adani’s project to visit villages affected by Adani’s Pench power project.
We want to assure you that we will also visit Mundra as and when we get
information of any program of struggle in the area to extend our support to the
struggle in Mundra.
KSS is engaged in legal battle
against the Adani’s Pench power project in the National Green Tribunal, New
Delhi. KSS has received tremendous support from National Alliance of Peoples
Movements and Indian Social Action Forum especially when Dr Sunilam, the
founder president of KSS was falsely sentenced for 52 years of imprisonment.
Villagers and organizations saw the not so hidden hand of Adani Group in this
conviction.
We are quite sure that the
alliance and the forum will support the struggle against the Adani’s project in
Mundra as well.
KSS holds that there is no justification
for destruction of mangroves, leveling of sand dunes and adverse impacts on
agriculture in Mundra. The struggle to save them deserves the support of all
the peoples’ organizations, movements and progressive political parties.
Adani’s record of environmental
destruction and non-compliance with regulations is highly unsatisfactory.
The adverse impact of the Adani
group's Carmichael mine, Queensland, Australia on the Great Barrier Reef, a
World Heritage Site and among the most famous large ecosystems in the world has
also come to light. It faces challenge from fishermen and environmental groups
over there.
In Maharashtra, the government
did not clear Adani's proposal to clear 1400 hectares of forest to mine next to
the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
In Rajasthan too concerns have
been raised by farmers against Adani group’s 1320 MW at Baran district’s Kawai,
Rajasthan. KSS is in touch with these groups and hopes that all of them join
hands to support the ongoing struggle in Mundra.
Contact: Dr Sunilam, Kisan Sangharsh Samiti (KSS), Mb:09425109770,
E-mail: sunilam_swp@yahoo.com
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