Stop Police Brutality and Act Against the Guilty in kanhar valley sonbhadra, UP

The All India Kisan Sabha strongly condemns the police firing and lathi-charge on hundreds of Dalits and Adivasis who were peacefully protesting against the illegal construction of the Kanhar dam in Sonbhadra. In gross violation of the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) the construction is being carried on and the police have once again unleashed brutality.  It is to be noted that there was a firing on the peaceful protestors on Ambedkar Jayanti in which many people including women were injured badly. The Uttar Pradesh Government has not made any effort to resolve the situation or take action against the police. Details of the firing and prevalent situation are still coming in but several people have received serious injuries.

At dawn today the PAC completely smashed the two dharna sites where people were peacefully protesting. People were fired at and reports suggest that there were serious injuries on women, old and children. The PAC also forced entry into Sundari and Bhisur villages and vandalised many of the tribal houses and their other belongings. The situation is quite tense in the area and the attack is still going on in the village. AIKS demands that the police atrocities be stopped forthwith.

The AIKS demands immediate compliance with the NGT order by the Uttar Pradesh government and stringent action against those responsible for the illegal construction. It also calls for action against the police officers and other government functionaries responsible for the police brutality. The state government must also provide immediate relief, compensation and medical care to all those affected. The Kisan Sabha expresses solidarity with the people fighting resolutely to protect their land. We empathize with them in their suffering and express solidarity to their struggle. We will work in a coordinated way with our comrades to ensure justice is done.