Medha leads march of the displaced

Medha leads march of the displaced
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MARCH 14: Hundreds of people displaced by various projects in the state gathered at Azad Maidan and led by National Alliance of Peoples Movement leader Medha Patkar they asserted their rights to Jal, (water) Jungle (forest lands) aur Zameen (land), querying the state's rehabilitation plans. People displaced by mega developmental projects such as dams, flyovers and highways joined hands with those who had been evicted from sanctuaries and national parks. Retrenched mill workers and fisherfolk affected by acquaculture joined the march, denouncing the government's rehabilitation plan as bogus and warning that if their homes were demolished without alternatives, they would put up tents at Azad Maidan itself.

Among the prominent speakers who addressed the gathering were Medha Patkar, National Alliance of Peoples Movement leader, trade union leader Meena Menon, Justice Daud , Justice Suresh and trade union leader R G Karnik.

Among the crowds was Mangamma who earns a living carrying fish baskets from the boats to the market at Wadi Bunder. She did not follow much of the proceedings but said she had heard of Patkar and was there to hear her speak.

On a good day Mangamma makes about Rs 35-40 and her children eat rice and daal. On a bad day, there's only water for dinner. Mangamma whio migrated to Mumbai because in her village in Guntkal district, Andhra Pradesh, there is work only for four months of the year hopes one day to have a roof over her head.

Goramma, whose home is the garbage dump near Mahim police station, is more vociferous in her views against the state. She is skeptical about her lot and the promises dangled out to her under the guise of rehabilitation. For the 15 years that she has been in Mumbai, her house has been demolished more times than ``there are stars in the sky.'' Yet she has come for the march. ``This Medha Patkar is supposed to be different. Perhaps she will be a more effective leader for us,'' she said.

After the rally at Azad Maidan, the people gathered at Churchgate, demanding to meet chief minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh. They were denied an audience that led to more sloganeering and finally the arrest of some people by the Azad Maidan police.