On November 14, 2015, Sajje Chandravanshi of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti(KSS) and four other outfit’s members were attacked in Chaunsara village in Madhya Pradesh. They have been opposing the
On November 14, 2015, Sajje Chandravanshi of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti(KSS) and four other outfit’s members were attacked in Chaunsara village in Madhya Pradesh. They have been opposing the Adani Pench Power Project since its inception citing forced acquisition of land, water diversion from Pench River and environmentally unfriendly measures put in place for the project. Sadly, this brutal onslaught is just the latest in a rapid sequence of such attacks as villagers continue to resist development.
Constructing the Adani Pench Power Project has been a conflict for many years. KSS and other villages have opposed the establishment of the 1,320 MW coal thermic power plant for a long time now. Their opposition is due to forced acquisition of land, loss of water from Pench River, and environmental detriment caused by this project.
This violence has a precedent, as the KSS leadership has been previously targeted. In May 2010, other leaders like Adv. Aradhana Bhargav and Dr. Sunilam were attacked during an agitation against this same project. These incidents have been ignored by the justice system and the police force has instead turned against and intimidated the nonviolent protestors.
Key Issues Raised by Activists:
The Adani Pench Power Project has raised significant concerns about its effects on the environment and local communities. One of the main issues is the proposed dam on the Pench River, which would submerge over 5,600 hectares of land, including six villages. This would not only displace thousands of people but also threaten their water sources for drinking and irrigation.
Activists, including Medha Patkar and Sajje Chandravanshi, have accused the company of obtaining environmental clearance through falsified reports. They argue that the project violates environmental laws and overlooks the rights of the affected villagers.
Despite these challenges, the KSS activists continue to push back. They demand accountability for the attacks and call for the government to protect the rights of the villagers. Their legal battle continues, but the struggle against powerful corporations like Adani Power remains an uphill fight.
The attack on KSS activists highlights the ongoing conflict between local communities and large corporations like Adani Power. The Adani Pench Power Project, while intended to generate energy, comes at a high cost for the environment and local livelihoods. As the villagers fight to protect their land and water, they face not only legal challenges but also violent opposition. Their struggle for justice and protection remains a crucial issue in the fight for environmental rights in India.