Movement Against Uranium Project (MAUP)
540, Road no.12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad-500 034.
Tel Nos. 2332 1350; 9393366000;
E-mail < captjrrao@gmail.com >
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MAUP/2006 14th September 2006
To,
Hon'ble Dr. Justice A.S. Anand
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission,
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg,
New Delhi, PIN 110001
Tel.No. 23382742 Fax No. 23384863
E-Mail: chairnhrc@nic.in
Respected Sir,
Sub: - Uranium Project – Tummalapalle of Cudapah District, Andhra Pradesh - Environmental Public Hearing – False cases hoisted on Protestors - Gross violation of Human rights.
This is to bring to your notice that recently (on 10th Septemeber 2006) an Environmental Public Hearing (EPH) was conducted in Tummalapalle of Cudapah district in Andhra Pradesh on Uranium mining proposed by Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) as mandated by the Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 1994 issued by Ministry of Environment and Forests.
That so called Environmental Public Hearing (EPH) conducted had turned out to be a “Private� hearing of UCIL and the individuals colluding with UCIL . The presence of large number of hired people brought from the villages not likely to be affected by the project and unprecedented large Police Force and prevention of the villagers likely to be directly affected by the project, from participation, are clear indications of the stage managed EPH , with the collusion of the authorities concerned.
Purpose of EPH
The EPH is the only legal space that is available to the people, where they can raise their concerns about the proposed project, which are to be considered in the process of decision making, for according Environmental Clearance to the project or otherwise. But unfortunately the people of the villages likely to be affected by Tummalapalle Uranium Project i.e. Mining & Processing of Uranium, had been denied of this opportunity by not permitting them to take part in EPH conducted on 10 th September.
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The Electronic and print media have extensively covered the event, giving the particulars of the way the EPH was conducted and the presence of some individuals not connected with the EPH process on the stage , which has vitiated the entire process. The press clippings of the same are enclosed. However the District Collector in his closing remarks, is reported to have stated that the public had expressed in favour of the project and accordingly the Report will be submitted to the authorities, which it is in contradiction of the actual facts.
Sustainable Development
The right to “Sustainable Development� has been declared by the UN General Assembly to be an inalienable Human Right. The 1992 Rio Conference declared that Human beings are at the center of concerns for sustainable development and Human beings are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. In order to achieve “Sustainable Development� environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of development process and cannot be considered in isolation of it.
The Gross Injustices of Corrupt Police Department
The local police officials have foisted false cases on the protestors against this project blaming them of various crimes, which they have never committed. The most irregular thing about these police cases is the fact that no individual or agency has lodged any complaint on any of them.
We strongly believe that this is being done to discourage local people to participate in a future public hearing, which is being demanded after cancelling the one held on 10th September 2006, by various organisations as well as all major political parties like TDP, CPM, CPI and MIM. The press clippings on the same are attached for your reference.
Request
In the light of the position explained above, it is requested that all the false and malicious cases booked against innocent villagers who were exercising their fundamental rights by voicing their concerns be lifted and also strict action be taken against the officials involved. We also request you to declare the EPH conducted on 10th September be treated as null and void in view of the human rights violations of not allowing people to exercise their Freedom of Speech, Illegal and conduct a fresh EPH after giving adequate notice, in a free, fair and transparent manner under the supervision of impartial body like the State Human Rights Commission. Thanking You,
Yours Cordially,
Capt. J.Rama Rao I.N. (Retd)
Convener
Copy to: -
Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission
E-Mail: aphumanrights@ap.nic.in