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Activist Medha Patkar detained in Allahabad
Although Patkar was in Allahabad to attend an event organised to commemorate the death anniversary of Gandhian activist Banwari Lal Sharma, she wanted to visit a nearby village, where residents are protesting a proposed power plant.
Narmada Bachao Andolan leader and noted social activist Medha Patkar was detained in Allahabad on Saturday while she was on her way to participate in an event in the Uttar Pradesh city.
Although Patkar was in Allahabad to attend an event organised to commemorate the death anniversary of Gandhian activist Banwari Lal Sharma, she wanted to visit a nearby village, where residents are protesting a proposed power plant.
Residents of Kachri village are up in arms against land acquisition by the district administration for a power plant by Meja Urja Nigam Private Limited (MUNPL).
MUNPL is a joint venture of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Vidhut Nigam Limited (UPRVNL). It has been tasked to set up a 1,320 megawatt thermal power plant at Meja tehsil.
Protests in Kachri recently turned violent and many residents were injured in clashes with police.
District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma had reportedly asked Patkar not to visit Kachri village on Friday night. He had pointed out that prohibitory orders were in place and that no public meeting could be held in the area.
On Saturday, Patkar was put under house arrest at Allahabad University guest house. However, she left the guest house and was headed for the venue of the function when police and officials of the district administration stopped her. For her part, Patkar sat on a dharna. She was eventually detained.
