4000 - Strong Narmada

Non-violent protesters of the NBA (Narmada Bachao Andolan , a more-than-decade long mass movement against destructive development and displacement in the Narmada River Valley, India) converged on the Maheshwar dam (one part of the Narmada dam system) and illegally occupied the dam site. About 4000 took over the site, while 1500 were eventually arrested by the police who responded by attacking some demonstrators. The protests show no sign of ending, with promises to disrupt Bill Clinton's anticipated visit to India in March. Other adivasi activists are also currently engaged in a six-month long procession ("padyatra") from one end of Madhya Pradesh to the other in order to highlight the ever-hastening process of land displacement in the name of globalization. Email: narmadauk@yahoo.com.