CPI seeks Centre's intervention to end Patkar's hunger strike

The CPI today sought immediate intervention of the Centre and state governments to settle an indefinite hunger strike by Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar to safeguard the people living in Madhya Pradesh's Narmada Valley.
Kerala CPI secretary Kanam Rajendran said the world renowned social activist's health was deteriorating and it was not ideal for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to "ignore" the agitation.
Patkar is on a hunger strike since July 27, demanding proper rehabilitation of thousands of families living along the banks of Narmada river in Barwani, Dhar, Alirajpur and Khargone districts of Madhya Pradesh, whose houses would face submergence once the gates of the Sardar Sarovar dam in neighbouring Gujarat were closed.

Rajendran said efforts to suppress peoples' agitation against the government's "laxity in ensuring rehabilitation for those evicted in the name of dams is condemnable".
"A grand alliance should be evolved to counter the administration's 'fascist agenda' to suppress people by sowing the seeds of fear," he said.
The CPI state council also expressed solidarity with the agitation led by Patkar in the Narmada Valley, a party statement said.