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On the 17th of May 2005, an indefinite Satyagraha began in Trivandrum against Coca-Cola in particular, and against corporatisation and privatisation of water in general. The Satyagraha is taking place under the banner of the National Alliance of Peoples Movements (NAPM).The Satyagraha is to involve a large number of people's organisations, civil society groups, since the battle has to grow into a national war and an international peoples struggle to oppose forces that disempower local populations and grab their resources for profit.The demands of the indefinite dharna are:
* Permanent closure of the Coca-Cola plant at Plachimada; * The State should file an appeal in Supreme Court against the High Court order, which had asked the Panchayat to grant licenses to the company within two weeks provided the company had the required clearances from the Factories Act and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB).
The State should endorse the PCB report about the toxic effluents from the plant that are affecting the water resources as well as crops
Meanwhile, the Satyagraha against the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd. At Plachimada itself has continued unabated for over 1000 days already; women and men of Plachimada are still sitting in protest at the doors of the plant. But now the battle has come to the state capital at Trivandrum, to challenge the state government on this issue, and to raise larger questions about peoples sovereignty and their rights to their resources including water.
Coca-Cola and related drinks are poisonous, the proof of which was provided by reports of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) headed by Sharad Pawar. Also, the State Pollution Control Board of Kerala has refused to give the plant a clearance certificate, since they found that the Plachimada factory was polluting the water due to non-disposal of hazardous waste produced by the plant.
Yet, the people, and especially the youth of this country are constantly bombarded by the aggressive marketing by these companies.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
JOIN US!
We invite a team of Satyagrahis from all over India and the world, to join us and participate in this indefinite Satyagraha. There is an ongoing sit-in plus several other programs such as torch-light processions, cultural programs, sale of local drinks, delegations meeting with the Chief Minister, etc. We invite you to spend at least 2-4 days in solidarity with us here. Please do inform us when you will be able to come. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to meet any travel expenses.
Plan solidarity actions in your own area opposing privatisation and corporatisation of water; do keep us informed about all actions, so that we may announce it to the Satyagrahis here as well.
* Stop drinking these drinks if you haven't already!
* We also urgently need contributions from friends all over India to meet the expenses. Cheques or DD should be made in Indian Rupees in favour of National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) to Philomin Mary, Office Secretary, National Fishworkers Forum (NFF), Valiathura, Thiruvananthapuram 695008, India
Relevant contact numbers:Satyagraha pandal phone: 0471-5535033 Action Committee phone: 0471-3948580 Thomas Kocherry cell: 9447052376 T. Peter cell: 9447429243 R. Ajayan cell: 9847142513 Email:
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