By Shuriah Niazi
BHOPAL, India
A group of 22 Indian farmers have been standing in almost chest-high waters for almost a month.
Their protest, in its 28th day on Friday, is against rising water levels caused by the Omkareshwar dam in central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
On Wednesday, hundreds of other farmers joined in as they protest government plans to increase the water level of the dam by two meters.
"Our motive is very much clear. We are ready to give our lives, but would not leave the place unless our demands are met. We have been deceived by the government,” said Rewaram, a protesting farmer told AA.
Their protest -- a very visual display of how the dam affects them -- has led to many of the farmers falling ill and developing blisters on their feet.
Dam-related projects along Madhya Pradesh's Narmada river forced thousands to leave their land. They have since protested against the development of dams, with a movement that first began in 1985.
The government claims that the dams will produce electricity and a secure water supply -- for drinking and irrigation -- for thousands of people in the area but locals complain they have lost their homes and land to the project.
The villagers, whose fields have been flooded by the dam water, have demanded compensation and rehabilitation from the government.
“We expect justice from the government. They must give us our rights. We will fight till the end. It is a question of our survival. If they take away our land without giving us adequate compensation and land where will we go,” 48-year-old Sushila Bai told AA.
The state government said in a communiqué that it is willing to discuss compensation but cannot reduce the water levels in the dam.
“The government is ready for discussions with Satyagrahis (protesters) on demand of land for land. The government wishes to solve their problems earnestly, but the water level of the reservoir cannot be reduced, overlooking interests of thousands of farmers.”
The government, according to the activists, have not taken them seriously despite their long-running protests.
One of the lead activists, Chitraroopa Palit, said: “The government is simply not interested in talking to us. The condition of the farmers participating in Jal Satyagrah (water protest) has turned worrisome."
