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From: "SchNEWS"
To: "SchNEWS Subscribers"
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 17:38:16 +0000
Subject: SchNEWS 150, 16 January 1998
Reply-to: schnews@brighton.co.uk

25,000 in Maheshwa Dam Occupation (India)

In the early hours of last Sunday, 25,000 people occupied and closed the site of the Maheshwa Dam, in the Navada Valley, West India. If the privatised hydro-power dam is built, it will submerge at least 61 villages, including the homes of 2,200 families. However, locals are promising to continue the seige until the project is halted.

Many people have already been affected by work on the site. Some have had to move out of their homes despite there being no resettlement plan. Others are in fear of their homes crumbling to the ground as the explosions are so near their villages.

Back in October, a rally of 10,000 people protested at the site. The Governments response was to increase the pace of the work. This time police were tipped off that there was to be another occupation, and blocked roads entering the site, but were no match for the vast numbers of locals who know the alternative routes in the valley! The fight continues!


road protests 1998   |   road protests (current)   |   movement links