MP govt forcefully evacuating villagers in Narmada catchment area: AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday alleged that the Madhya Pradesh government had closed the gates of the Beda dam, resulting in the flooding of more than a dozen villages in the Narmada catchment area.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday alleged that the Madhya Pradesh government had closed the gates of the Beda dam, resulting in the flooding of more than a dozen villages in the Narmada catchment area.

The water level of the upper Beda dam will be increased, due to which 347 families of 14 villages will come in the catchment area. (HT photo)

Addressing a news conference in Indore, AAP’s state coordinator Alok Agarwal said that for the last four days the government has closed the gates of the dam and forcefully evacuated thousands of villagers from the inundated villages.

“Since August 5, the government has closed the gates of the Beda dam due which the water in the catchment area is continuously increasing,” he said.

Agarwal also alleged that the administration and police reached some of the villages and bulldozed huts. Describing the state government’s force as inhuman, Agarwal said it infringes on the rights of the tribal people of the state.

More than 300 dam-affected farmers had submitted their application for rehabilitation and land after the decision of the Supreme Court in 2011.

The hearing on the evictees applications started last month but the government had extended the date and started water increasing the water-level in the catchment areas.

“The water level of the dam was increased from 300m to 314m. Villages like Palada, Sonud, Udaypur, and Kharava among others are affected and the villagers are suffering,” said Agarwal.

He further said that he will go to court against the government’s move and protest his against the government will continue. “Why is the government not rehabilitating the villages?” he questioned. “We are not against development but this atrocity…by the administration and police.”