People should have control on village resources not the Government in Delhi-Mumbai

Jasapara a village of about 2200 population is up against the gigantic plans of Government of India to build a 6,000 MW Nuclear power plant as its commitment to USA against the Agreement on Civil-Nuclear Cooperation.

The corporate interest driven Government’s have least concern for people and this is well known to people here, who have seen many a disasters in the Alang – Sosiya Ship breaking yard. They have also seen the fate of people who were pursued in the name of National Interest to give away their agricultural lands for peanuts for this so called “National Interest” of the corporates.

On 15th of November a public meeting was organised by the villagers of Jasapara – Mithi Virdi. They had also invited villagers from the surrounding villages. Sarpanchs and other elected representatives representing at the Taluka level were also present.

Chunibhai Vaidya, fondly called as Chunikaka , is a Freedom fighter and veteran Gandhian, presided the Public meeting.

Vasarambhai an old man and leader of Jasapara village said, “ We will give our lives, but not let our Lifeline”. Arjunbhai, a farmer of Mithi Virdi village said, “ We sow grains, pulses, cotton here, but reap gold and silver. How can we let such a land from our hand. We will oppose with all our might”. “Our generations have toiled hard for years and now the land has become suitable for Horticulture”, said Bhagwat Sinh, Taluka representative from Sosiya. Vikram Sinh, Taluka representative from Khadarpar village emphasised that “ We need to be united and organised to struggle against this Nuclear Plant”.
Rajnibhai Dave, Editor of ‘Bhumiputra’ Magazine and a Engineer, enlightened the attending public of the dangers of Nuclear plants and experiences world over. He also cautioned the surrounding villages that they would be bearing the brunt if at all the Nuclear Power Plant is setup at this place.

Chunikaka while addressing the villagers said, “ this is not short term struggle, we have to force the elected representatives to introduce a bill in the Assembly of Gujarat, where by all the rights over the natural resources of a village would be confined to the village and not with the Government. For this he called upon the villagers and land owners to pass resolutions and also send individual letters to the Government telling about their resolve of not to give their land to such a disastrous project. Assuring the villagers that if need be the remaining 7 years which he is to complete before completing a century of life would be for this cause”.

With a fresh resolve the meeting was concluded and new strategies planned to take the struggle ahead.

For the struggling villagers Against the Mithi Virdi Nuclear Power Plant.