Police State
By Prabhat Sharan
04 March, 2011
The Verdict Weekly
Going by the statements made by Indian political leaders regarding an
agitation against a nuclear power plant in Jaitapur, Maharashtra, it
seems that people’s voice, aspirations, livelihoods and shared
memories does not matter much to the rulers. Nobody in the region has
any faith in the Indian state and that is why we are seeking an
independent committee to look into the issue…
The cries of freedom is fast fading and waning into the darkness of
the shadows of prison bars that dot the undulating hills of Rajapur in
Konkan. The green ribbon of Maharashtra’s coastline is fast turning
into a police state. In the name of democracy, shackles are being
clamped on every dissenting voice. Throttling the voice and banning
the thought has become the mantra of the Indian state.
Jaitapur is a case in point.The Indian state in its desperate attempt
to coerce the natives of Konkan into accepting the installation of
nuclear power plant (capacity of 10,000 Mwe-spanning over 15 years) in
Jaitapur has clamped down on the public movement.
In a span of three days over 22 persons have been taken into custody
for protesting against the proposed nuclear power plant. And scores of
people have been issued externment orders.
Activist Vaishali Patil, who is one of the leaders externed from the
Jaitapur said: “Prohibitory orders have been issued against me and
several other leaders. Till date over 22 persons have been taken into
police custody. It is obvious that the State wants to snuff out the
people’s movement. Earlier there were two police check nakas in the
area, today they have three more. This means that nobody can enter the
region without the knowledge of police personnel.”
The region which was already roiling with protest movement against
mining lobbies, the anger against the proposed nuclear power plant has
become a rallying point for the natives. It is fast cascading into a
surge of movement like the waves crashing on the shores.
According to Ms Patil, the arrests have not deterred the people nor
have they been able to instill any fear amongst the Konkanis. “Despite
the heavy presence of police, Maharashtra chief minister was forced to
back out in a public meeting in the face of people’s wrath. However,
going by the statements made by Indian political leaders it seems that
people’s voice, aspirations, livelihoods and shared memories does not
matter much to the rulers. Nobody in the region has any faith in the
Indian state and that is why we are seeking an independent committee
to look into the issue. We have asked the Indian People’s Tribunal on
Environment and Human Rights (IPT) to investigate into human rights
and environmental violations.”
IPT led by A P Shah (retired chief justice of Delhi and Madras High
Court) and Justice P B Sampat (retired judge of Madras High Court)
along with experts and lawyers on March 6-7 will do an in depth study
of the issue plaguing the people as well as the region. Officials from
government and other stake holders have also been informed in this
regard, Ms Patil said, adding that there was a widespread apprehension
amongst the activists that government machinery may try to scuttle and
prevent the tribunal from carrying out its study.
Talking on the issue of new economic package being offered to the
villagers, by Nuclear Power Corporation India Ltd (NPCIL), which has
undertaken the construction of the nuclear power plant, Ms Patill
said: “It is nothing new. After converting the entire region into a
concentration camp, the so-called new packages are nothing but a ploy
to side-track the issues. Time and again we have said that we are not
protesting so as to increase our bargaining power. We just don't want
the plant in our backyard. It is not just the new economic packages
that are being doled out lure the villagers. Meanwhile, the state
government and contractors involved in the proposed power plant are
also luring panchayat and gram sabha leaders by offering them
contracts running into crores. It is obvious that even though
technically it would not be termed as a bribe, the fact remains that
these contracts are being offered to fracture the movement.”
Prabhat Sharan is a Senior Journalist with interest in social, working
class, wild-life conservation, media, philosophical and literary
studies. He can be contacted at [email protected] or
[email protected]
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