Protest demonstrations by dalits and adivasi intensifies over Kanhar dam construction

By TwoCircles.net, Staff Reporter

Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh): In a move intended to protest the alleged illegal land acquisition by the Uttar Pradesh government in the name of building a dam over the Kanhar river, dalit, adivasi men and women members of the All India Union of Forest Working People (AIUFWP) have started an indefinite demonstration programme in front of the District Court premises here at Sonbhadra, the district headquarter town of Robertsgunj.


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Thousands of people from different parts of Sonbhadra reached in rallies and gathered at the District Court premises to begin their demonstration programme.

In a statement released by AIUFWP, the union accused police of inflicting atrocities and illegally arresting the peaceful protesters and their leaders.

Kanahar Flood

“The Uttar Pradesh government in the name of building a dam over the Kanhar river is illegally involved in acquisition of lands. After protests by people, police resorted to unwarranted firing on peaceful protest. Illegal arrest and incarceration of leading comrades Roma, Sukalo Gond, Gambhira Prasad, Pankaj Gautam, Asharfi Yadav and Lakhsman Prasad on false charges,” the statement read.

Sanjay Singh, a union leader while addressing the people, alleged that “the district police and administration were working hand in glove with the mining and land mafia of the district to oppress and terrorise the Adivasi, Dalit people of this region by grabbing their land, by raping them, by indiscriminately firing on them, by putting them and senior leaders behind bars on false charges” and that people will “no longer tolerate this oppression anymore.”

The protesting All India Union of Forest Working People members have called for an indefinite demonstration programme which will go on for at least a month.

Kanhar Dam, the project conceived 37 years ago and held in abeyance since last 25 years was freshly inaugurated for construction of the dam on December 5, 2014 after a span of 25 years which social activist alleged was without a fresh proper cost benefit analysis (CBA), any environment impact assessment (EIA) or Social Impact Assessment (SIA) ever. The commencement of project activities is making way for a large social uprising in the heavily industrialized zone of Uttar Pradesh.

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