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February 29, 2008

Bhopal campaigners protest at India's embassy in Washington

Ryan Bodanyi, Students for Bhopal, Friday 22nd, 2008

I wanted to update you all on my trip to Washington DC.
 
The first thing we did, on Friday the 22nd, was protest at the Indian Embassy. The reasons are obvious – they don’t like it. It’s embarrassing. It makes them look bad. It draws employees to the window and sets them all a-muttering. And we shouted loudly enough that (hopefully) the Ambassador, in his cushy office, couldn’t escape our cries for justice.

 
We have a long history of protesting at the Indian Embassy, and while folks in other cities have occasionally managed to meet with their Consul General or otherwise high-ranking officials, the Embassy itself usually tries its best to shoo us away with low-level flunkies. When we protested outside the embassy in 2006, they agreed to meet with us – but refused to meet with us inside the building. Instead we were forced to stand awkwardly outside, shifting from foot to foot and surrounded by traffic.
 
This time was no different. After about an hour of persistent chanting, two of us went to present a petition to the embassy officials. They refused to let us in.

On March 23rd the Bhopalis are expected to reach Delhi. Between now and then we’ve got lots of work to do. If you’d like to help, you can begin taking action RIGHT NOW by visiting the March to Delhi page on our website Students for Bhopal

Posted by tim at 12:37 PM | Comments (0)

February 28, 2008

Victory to women agitators! Govt. releases all protestors, agrees to halt work at Dow's site

Shashi Sonawane
National Convenor - Yuva Bharat
for LOKSHASHAN ANDOLAN

February 28, 2008

Friends, as you are aware, since last night there was tension in the village of Shinde (Chakan) Dist. Pune, Maharashtra. This is the latest update.

Yesterday, the govt. tried to forcibly start construction work at the site of the proposed R&D facility of the notorious DOW Chemicals.

Dow's R&D construction site at Chakan, near Pune

Since the last 43 days, the villagers, who have been organised under the leadership of Justice Kolse-Patil and Com. Vilas Sonawane (Lokshashan Andolan), formed Bhamhandra Dongar Bachao Warkari Shetkari Sangharsh Samiti and had stopped any kind of construction work at the site for the last 42 days.

Villagers use bullock carts to blockade Dow's construction site...

Yesterday, the govt. tried to start the work forcibly by terrorising the villagers. However, the same villagers who have blocked the road organised a massive protest rally. This protest meeting was addressed by Justice B.G. Kolse-Patil (President Lokshashan Andolan) and Com. Vilas Sonawane (Working President Lokshahan Andolan). Justice Kolse-Patil challenged the authorities to arrest them. However, the Police did not take any action.

Soon after the meeting, when Justice Kolse-Patil, Com. Vilas Sonawane left the place, the police took action and arrested 12 leading activists of the Bhamhandra Dongar Bachao Warkari Shetkari Sangharsh Samiti. The women protestors soon gheraoed the remaining police force, who were literally held as hostage. The women demanded the immediate release of those arrested. Till then, they refused the police force (numbering approximately 200) permission to leave the village. The situation became worse when an additional force was called. The women protestors and the other villagers were arrested after midnight between 12.30 am to 1.30 am. Around 143 villagers were arrested, including 69 women who were arrested after midnight. Police even arrested 16 children (below 18 yrs).

The fearless women of Shinde and Vasuli villages

In the morning, the tension increased manifold. Finally, due to the initiative of Justice Kolse-Patil, the police agreed to release the protestors unconditionally. They even agreed to maintain the status quo, whereby no construction work at the site shall be taken up till the govt.'s committee on this issue submits its report. Even now the road blockade is there and the protesting villagers - who have no faith in the govt., which is protecting the interests of the notorious DOW Chemical - have resolved to fight DOW and the govt. tooth and nail.

A formidable, unlikely barrier to Dow's plans for Indian expansion

Activists of Lokshashan Andolan and Yuva Bharat are in the village and organising the protests.

Victory!

Kindly go through the earlier report (below).

DOW Chemicals Go Back!
DOW Hatao Pune Bachao!
Bhamhandra Dongar Bachao Warkari Shetkari Sangharsh Samiti Zindabad!
Jai Tukoba Jai Shivraya!

Dow go back!

--------------------------------- 
The latest information about anti-DOW struggle.
 
17 villagers have been arrested by the Police in Shinde. They have been kept in Chakan Police Station. Women protestors have still gheraod the police at Shinde. Police planning brutal action against the women. Anything can happen in the coming hours. Kindly circulate this message and help as you can in this situation of crisis.
 
Shashi Sonawane
LOKSHASHAN ANDOLAN
 
The list of 17 villagers who have been arrested.
 
Shantaram Panmand, Vithal Panmand, Gorakshnath Panmand, Balu Timghire, Navnath Ghanvat, Ankush Ghanvat, Fakira Tamboli, Babaji Mhatale, Subhash Panmand, Shrikant Gaikwad, Suresh Gaikwad, Kisan Karle, Mahadu Panmand, Kailash Panmand, Shivnath Panmand, Tukaram
Mhatale, Narayan Mhatale
 
Dear Friends,
 
Police action against the protestors who are opposing the coming up of so-called R&D facility of notorious DOW Chemicals
 
As you all, an R&D plant of notorious DOW chemicals is proposed at Shinde and Vasuli villages of Khed taluka in Pune district. The farmers have come together and formed Bhamchandra Dongar Bachao Warkari Shetkari Sangharsh Samiti under the leadership of Justice B.G.Kolse-Patil (retd.) and have been opposing the coming up of the facility. Since 16th January, the villagers had stopped construction work at the site. Even the suppliers have boycotted supply of raw material to the site. However, the govt. has been making every effort to somehow start the work.

Villagers have been opposing the chemical plant on valid grounds to which the govt. has no answers. The notorious DOW has not taken any responsiblity of Bhopal Gas Victims.
 
The details of the agitation have been sent to all you regularly. On 23rd Feb, 2008, the organisations, concerned citizens of Pune had come together under the banner of DOW Hatao Pune Bachao and demonstrated against the proposed DOW R&D facility. After consistent agitation, the govt appointed a committee to look into the matter. On 25th Feb, in its second meeting, the govt. officials were not able to give satisfactory answers to queries by villagers pertaining to the hazardous chemicals to be used, the project report, about disposal of chemical wastage, emissions, environmental impact etc.
 
The issue is yet to be sorted out and now the govt. has resorted to represssive action for the vested interests of a notorious company like DOW which has been responsible for making chemical warfare materials and other hazardous chemicals and has never taken any responsiblity for its criminal acts.
 
Today at this moment police have taken brutal action against the peaceful protestors of the village of Shinde and the surrounding villages of Bhamchandra Dongar in Chakan (Pune). Today, in the morning, police forcibly tried to start the work of DOW Chemicals. Villagers opposed this move. Large number of villagers, farmers and warkaris of the surrounding villages assembled at Shinde (at the site) and a massive protest meeting was organised under the leadership of Justice B.G. Kolse-Patil (retd.), Com. Vilas Sonawane (Lokshashan Andolan.

Following the meeting, in the evening police arrested 7 villagers and took them to an unknown place (Right now we are trying to trace
them and worried about their security). Around 400 women have now gheraoed the Police who are there for bandobast in large numbers. The women have demanded the immediate release of those 7 villagers who have been arrested. Police are using brutal force against women (without sufficient women constables being mobilised). There is a tension in the village and we fear for the security
and well-being of the women protesters.
 
List of those arrested -
 
Shantaram Panmand, Vithal Panmand, Balu Timghire, Navnath Ghanvatm Ankush Ghanvat, Pradip Tamboli, Babaji Mhatale, Subhash Panmand, Shrikant Gaikwad, Suresh Gaikwad, Kisan Karle, Mahadu Panmand.
 
On one side, the govt. claims that Maharashtra is a progressive state, it is the land of saints and warkaris and on the other hand it is shamelessly unleashing a reign of terror on the warkaris and shetkaris of these villages for the sake of a foreign company like DOW, which has only worked against humanity. The Govt. is trying to give the land of Saint Tukaram Maharaj to the notorious DOW Chemicals.  
 
We appeal to all of you to support this struggle and pressurise the govt. to stop the Singur-Nandigram style police attack on peaceful agitators in the Bhamchandra Dongar area.
 
 
Stop the brutal police action against the warkaris-shetkaris!
DOW Chemicals Go Back!
Release the those arrested immediately!
Immediately stop the Police action at the village Shinde against the women protestors!

Posted by tim at 01:36 PM | Comments (0)

February 27, 2008

DOW SETS ARMED POLICE UPON INDIAN VILLAGERS

**LATEST**

First of all: THANK YOU to all those who called.
 
Vilas Sonawane of Lokshasan Andolan, Pune, reports that police and villagers have arrived at an understanding that until the report of the Committee is submitted:

a) the status quo would be maintained. There will be no further construction or supply of material to Dow's R&D site.

b) NO provocative action will be taken by police against villagers. NO intimidation or night visits by the police. 
 
Your calls averted violence and led to an outcome that we can live with for the time being. The vigil is on, and the villagers are even more enthused now that they have seen their strength, and the support from overseas.
 
Calls to the District Administration and Police may be stopped now.

***URGENT ACTION ALERT***

February 27th 2008

CALL IMMEDIATELY

Dow Sets Police on Indian Villagers

Police at a meeting at Shinde village this month

Five men from Shinde Vasuli village, near Pune, were arrested today after nearly 250 armed police from the State Reserve Police made their way to the construction site of Dow's proposed R&D facility. Construction at the site remains suspended for more than 40 days. More than 1000 villagers, including at least 300 women, have closeted the police contingent inside the Dow site, and are demanding that the police should release the five arrested villagers.

The State Government has ordered reinforcements and a lathi charge is feared overnight tonight.

TAKE ACTION:

Please call:

District Collector. Mr. Deshmukh: +91 9881221144

Rural SP. Mr. Nangre Patil: +91 9923088887

Talking Points:

a) The Collector had assured that no work will begin until the report is submitted and the villagers are convinced about the nature of work. Why has he gone back on his word? Newspapers have reported this.

b) Any violence against villagers and on behalf of Dow will be viewed very negatively by the world. Release the arrested villagers, and withdraw the police force, and talk to the villagers to find out what their concerns are.

Background: Construction work at the site had been suspended after local villagers took over the approach roads and stopped all work more than a month ago, triggered by fears about the pollution impact of Dow's facility. The villagers had also questioned Dow's right to go about business as usual while the company's Bhopal liabilities remain unresolved.

The blockade by the villagers was lifted after the District Collector assured them that no construction would take place until a committee set up to evaluate Dow's proposal presented its report. The report has not yet been submitted. But Dow has managed to strong-arm the
Government into sending police reinforcements to escort construction material. The site has no construction workers as all of them left as soon as the blockade began.

With Dow breathing down the necks of the State Government, it is highly likely that the State will resort to use of force to enable Dow's construction. The villagers have said they will not move until their men are freed.  

17 villagers have been arrested by the Police in Shinde. They have been kept in Chakan Police Station. Women protestors have still gheraod the police at Shinde. Police planning brutal action against the women. Anything can happen in the coming hours. Kindly circulate this message and help as you can in this situation of crisis. 

Shashi Sonawane

LOKSHASHAN ANDOLAN 

The list of 17 villagers who have been arrested. 

Shantaram Panmand, Vithal Panmand, Gorakshnath Panmand, Balu Timghire, Navnath Ghanvat, Ankush Ghanvat, Fakira Tamboli, Babaji Mhatale, Subhash Panmand, Shrikant Gaikwad, Suresh Gaikwad, Kisan Karle, Mahadu Panmand, Kailash Panmand, Shivnath Panmand, Tukaram Mhatale, Narayan Mhatale

*LATEST* Five of those arrested are still being held.

Bhopal tragedy comes to haunt Dow R&D unit, villagers block road to site

Police threaten Dow Protestors in Pune

Dow Chemical’s R&D project plan hits another roadblock

Dow plans blocked by Indian villagers

Villagers voice resolve to keep out Dow Chemical

Dow Chemical issue: Activists demand Lok Adalat

Dow India's R&D facility embroiled in controversy

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU CALL

Notes of a conversation between Boston-based Bhopal supporter Aquene and the rural superintendent of police, Mr. Nangre Patil, one hour ago:

Aquene: I am looking for Nangre Patil I am calling from Boston US regarding the arrest of 5 villagers from near Chakan

Patil: Can you speak more slowly?

Aquene: I am calling with regard to the arrest of 5 villages near Chakan with regard to the Dow plant construction.

Patil: Oh Dow. Ok there has been a committee formed with bureaucrats to deal with that matter ma'am.

Aquene: I know there has been a committee formed and as far as I understand from the newspapers there was an agreement to not do any work on the Dow site until the report was submitted. You must release the arrested villagers immediately. Dow is harboring a fugitive from
Justice in Indian Criminal court, how can you permit them to build?

Patil: Ma'am the committee has been formed to look at this issue and address it. They will make a report and until the report comes out Dow should continue construction.

Aquene: That is not the way it works, why should Dow continue the construction while waiting for this report? What good will that do allowing construction to continue when the project has not been evaluated? The project will already be done before the issue is clarified. When will the report come out?

Patil: Within a fortnight ma'am.

Aquene: Well good, but until that time the construction should not be permitted on the Dow site. You should leave the villagers alone and release those who have been arrested.

Patil: Not that much construction can happen in such a short time ma'am. They are not at that stage of construction.

Aquene: If they are not at that stage of construction why did you send 3 trucks with Special Forces to the site?

Patil: I am just doing my job ma'am

Aquene: What is this doing your job and arresting innocent villagers for a company that won't even respect Indian Law?

Patil: Good Night Ma'am

Aquene: We are watching you from around India and from around the world. We are watching what you do there. Those concerned about Human Rights are watching.

Patil: Good Night Ma'am

Aquene: Please release those villagers

Patil: Click 

Do call again and again every few hours until the villagers have been freed.

Posted by tim at 07:05 PM | Comments (0)

February 21, 2008

Delhi asks Prime Minister to Walk his Talk as Bhopalis begin their March on Foot to Delhi

February 20th, 2008 - New Delhi

Press coverage of the event in the Statesman(pdf)

Report by Shalini Sharma

Connaught Place is the heart of the capital of India. While government is busy making it the commercial hub of the city, hundreds of students and Bhopal supporters made their way to the Central Park situated right in the centre of Connaught Place. The park is situated on top of the metro station and is surrounded by big showrooms and food joints from all sides. Suddenly, the visitors at the park found a number of college going students carrying placards, waving pamphlets, adjusting cameras, arranging exhibition slides and musical instruments. No matter they knew each other or not- mention Bhopal and there was an instant camaraderie. This drew attention from hundreds of others who were visiting the Park. Soon, the place was bustling with more than 300 people for one cause- No more Bhopals!

Immediately, students got busy with preparing the stage. Some put up the banners which said loud and clear- Prime Minister Walk your Talk while others did a quick round of pamphleteering and appealed to people to join the candle vigil in solidarity for Bhopal. Few others made sure that all things are easily available. And sure they did manage to have a chaos free event!

Amphitheatre soon became a live gallery. Pictures of the disaster, ongoing contamination, children born with severe birth defects were laid on the ground along with pictures of peoples’ action across the world in support of Bhopal. People began reading the slides first out of curiosity and then with sheer realization of what Bhopalis have been suffering. The look on their face said it all. And a usually subdued amphitheatre now echoed the sentiments of many who were shocked and bewildered at Government’s continued apathy.

The postcards addressed to Prime Minister have been doing rounds of various schools and colleges in Delhi for almost a month now. We were excited at the opportunity to talk directly with people and read the postcards to them. While few students went individually to people for postcard sign on, it was heartening to see a number of people walking up to us for the postcards. Around 100 postcards were signed in no time.

We were also joined by a number of youngsters who had generally come for a stroll in the Park. They not only volunteered to distribute the pamphlets on the roads outside the Park but in fact read the whole pamphlet to be able to explain the matter to any one. Many of them took our contacts and volunteered to organize Bhopal exhibition in their colleges. But most inspiring was the eagerness with which they joined us in our efforts. They kept telling us- let us get together on this, let us take the issue to one and all! The banner that we kept at the end of the exhibition was soon covered with messages to Prime Minsiter. Hard hitting reactions! But, the high point was when a very elderly person asked us- “When will you give it to the Prime Minsiter? Don’t forget to call me, I want to walk with you. 850 kilometers is no joke and that too second time!”

The response to pamphlets and postcards was overwhelming. And, our friends from Jigri and Kutumb made sure everyone has fun along with registering a cultural protest. They led the event further by songs on democracy and struggle. To name a few, Hille re jagjor duniya…jagiraa aarerra…and in true rang de basanti style-khoon chala! Only this time those singing it were real people who were well aware that the issue is serious and there is no retake. The crowd joined in chorus, lighted candles and cheered for Bhopal.

And amidst this, we also had some drama courtesy guards of Central Park. They had been quietly enjoying the event themselves, it’s only when they saw people reading the banner with Padyatra demands that they rushed in to pull them down.

Well, we outnumbered them in both count as well as spirit. Supporters held the banner tightly and refused to budge from the venue. Others took the pictures from the exhibition in their hands and made a chain. The hold was firm and stance clear- No matter what you do, you can’t stop us from supporting Bhopal. Prime Minister must represent people and not killer Corporations!

We did receive quite a lot of media attention- ANI TV and ETV were the first ones to reach and others soon followed. Students are writing updates for their college notice boards and magazines. Some captured the event on their camera and plan to screen in their class. The momentum is building and this is just the beginning.

Singing the songs in solidarity and holding candles for every Bhopali that decided to walk from Bhopal, Delhiites joined hands with a determination to drum greater support for Bhopalis’ demands.

After more than two hour or so we head off happy to know that we have given Government a shock, warned them that we are observing their stance on Bhopal closely and, informed people in Delhi how a government can force the old, sick and wailing to walk again. This on the very first day of the Padyatra, they should expect more noise from us because we will not accept anything less than a fair deal for the survivors this time.

Posted by tim at 11:49 PM | Comments (0)