Protest by immersion

Fifty-one villagers have immersed themselves neck-deep in water since August 25th to protest the move by the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh to increase water levels of regional dams to deal with the rise in water levels of the Narmada River. Protestors say more than 1,000 acres of land are already submerged & 60 villages are threatened if water levels in the Omkareshwar dam are increased further. Crops have already been damaged in 30 villages. The protestors, who are members of Narmada Bachao Andolan or Save Narmada Movement, are demanding compensation & rehabilitation for villagers whose homes & lands will be submerged. They say the government’s decision to increase water levels without compensation is a violation of a supreme court order requiring compensation at least 6-months before such a move. Protestors are suffering health problems from being submerged for so long (even in rain), including fish & crab bites, & skin disorders. But their resolve is tenacious: “Till that time even if we die, we will sit here,” said one protestor. (Photo by AFP/Getty Images)
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