Truth Suppression Tactics
By Vikram Jadav
04 March, 2011
The Verdict Weekly
Villagers and activists are arrested for mustering their protest against nuclear project in Jaitapur, Maharashtra
The Maharashtra Police arrested all those who spoke against the state
government during Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan’s visit
to Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project on February 26, 2011. Dr Milind
Desai from Mitgavane village was picked up from his home at two in the
morning of March 1, 2011 and arrested. During Chavan’s recent visit
Desai had lashed out at the government, calling it “shameless”. In his
speech, Desai said the government did not take into account the
people’s objections to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project. He said the
project was worth Rs 1 lakh crore but the government’s package was
worth Rs 15 crore. “Isn’t the government ashamed,” Desai asked. In
addition to Desai, ten people have been arrested.
His comments provoked former Shiv Sainik-turned-Congress minister and
strongman of Konkan region in Maharashtra, Narayan Rane, the state
industries minister, into reacting aggressively. A miffed Rane, who is
known for using his muscle power and creating terror in the region,
stopped Dr Desai from speaking in Chavan’s presence. Without arguing,
Desai quietly left the dais. Another villager affected by the project,
Sharad Mayekar, was also arrested this morning at his home in
Mithgavane.
Five villages - Madban, Varliwada, Karel, Niveli and Mithgavane - will
be affected by the proposed plant. Ever since villagers affected by
the project have begun protesting, the police have been slapping
charges and chapter cases against them on a regular basis. In the
recent arrests, it is understood from other activists that Dr Desai
and 10 others have been arrested in connection with a two-month old
case. They have been booked for charges such as rioting, attempt to
murder, voluntarily causing hurt, deferring public servants from
carrying out their duty. Two months ago, the villagers aggressively
protested against the alleged murder of Irfan Kazi, a resident of Nate
village and who was at the forefront of the protest against the plant.
Villagers alleged that he was run down by a Tata Sumo. Pravin Gavankar
of the Janhit Seva Samiti (JSS) of Madban said Madban - which once had
14 freedom fighters - now faces repression.
The situation is similar in other villages that will be affected by
the project. So far, these project-affected villages have never had
police coming into the village. But, now almost everyday there is
police presence here. The villagers say that the police have been
coming regularly and questioning them or they are simply taken to the
police station and questioned.
The state government and Rane created a great deal of drama during the
Chavan’s visit. Earlier that day, Rane had briefed the chief minister
on the Jaitapur nuclear power project and its opponents at the Madban
village site. At the public meeting Rane was particularly angered by
the presence of Vaishali Patil, an activist from Konkan Vinashkari
Prakalpa Vidrohi Samit. Rane asked Konkan Inspector-General of Police
Parambir Singh why outsiders were allowed to attend a public meeting
addressed by the chief minister. Patil is from Raigad district and was
instrumental in the protest against the Reliance SEZ project.
Rane then ordered the IG to ask Patil to leave. She and the others
present at the meeting was also asked to remove their black badges.
Patil refused and when the police tried to evict her, women of Sakhari
Nate and other project affected villages rose in her support and
created a scene. Fearing there could be violence, the police did not
act further and Patil stayed through the meeting.
While people did not resort to violent behaviour, they were angry and
shouting slogans. The villagers are clear that they do not want the
project in Jaitapur and instead of the state government trying to
convince them about the merits of the project they should listen to
their grievances and respect them for who they are.
At the public meeting in the presence of Chavan, Prakash Waghdare from
Madban got on to the dais and asked all those who opposed the project
to raise their hands. Almost everyone from the audience had raised
their hands in opposition. Waghdare told the government this was
indication enough to state what people’s feeling was and should
respect their feelings and cancel the project.
Vikram Jadav is a senior reporter, who covered Maharashtra politics,
crime scenario for regional dailies. He is with Vruth Manas, Mumbai
Sandhya Group, a bi-lingual daily publication read by masses. He can
be reached at [email protected]
Comments are not moderated. Please be responsible and civil in your postings and stay within the topic discussed in the article too. If you find inappropriate comments, just Flag (Report) them and they will move into moderation que.
