Stop victimising protesters of anti-people projects: Patkar

Talking to reporters in Tiruchy, Medha said agricultural activities in the State get affected due to hydrocarbon extraction and eight-lane road projects. Since the people holding such stirs have been protesting in a peaceful manner, the police should not initiate action against them, the organiser and strategist of Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) said. The State government should, in fact, initiate talks with such people who have been opposing the projects, and it is mandatory to get their suggestions for any major projects, she added.

Stating that a series of projects implemented by the government have been posing a threat to the environment, the activist said that she would extend her solidarity to the people who agitate against any anti-people projects.

Meanwhile, Medha claimed that the drawing of huge quantity of water through the installation of deep bore wells has posed a threat to the ground water and this has resulted in water scarcity.

She also said that the refusal to accept the offer from Kerala to supply water to compensate water shortage in Tamil Nadu is nothing but the politicisation of issues based on the basic needs which, in turn, would lead to further problems.

The social activist also expressed concern over the whereabouts of environmental activist Mugilan, who is reportedly absconding, by calling it unfortunate and added that the incident seems to be similar to that of people going missing in Kashmir and Sri Lanka. “I hope the judiciary would initiate steps [to address] the issue,” Medha said.