Agitation by Sardar Sarovar oustees continues in Gujarat

VADODARA: The ongoing agitation by the Sardar Sarovar Project oustees at Keodia in Gujarat demanding "free and fair" rehabilitation has entered its 8th day today.

Around 100 tribals from various resettlement sites as well as farmers and other project affected persons (PAPs) from Nimar in Madhya Pradesh who have been shifted to Gujarat, are staging a sit-in before the Resettlement Office in Keodia Colony since last Friday.

"They have been demanding full and fair rehabilitation which they have not yet got despite being displaced in late 1980's and 1990's," a statement said.

They claimed that no representative from state government has so far approached them for finding out a solution.

On Monday, social activist Medha Patkar visited the spot and accused the Gujarat government of hiding facts about rehabilitation of people affected by Narmada dam by providing false information to the Supreme Court.

"These people are still facing so many problems. They are still deprived of basic amenities like water for drinking and farming but the officials just close the records, noting that everything has been done," she had said.