Lok Sath Consultation, Aug. 24, 2003

Villagers holding Protest Demonstration

Inundated Village Mapal by Rowed Kohee Kora

Chashma Lok Sath met on 24th August 2003, at Taunsa Sharif. Over three hundred farmers from various villages representing the western side of the main canal, the command area and the eastern riverine belt attended Lok Sath. An invitation letter to the members of GRSC was sent; however, none of the GRSC members came to attend Lok Sath.

Lok Sath rejected the recently released recommendations/entitlement matrix proposed by the GRSC. It was observed that GRSC did not only fail in its contact campaign but its recommendations are only eye wash. After Lok Sath, a protest demonstration was also held in Taunsa town.

We, the people of Chashma irrigation project, gather here to pronounce our sufferings and denounce the violations inflicted upon us. We assemble here to guard the Truth.

The Truth that is eclipsed by perpetual fabrication of falsehood and mendacity. The Truth that is mutilated by dishonest reports, wrongs of high-paid consultants and officials and lust for money and profit.

We now stand up and tell the Truth.

Truth! We were the people who had abundant water and land. God used to send Rowed Kohee-the cherished hill torrents- to us. Rowed Kohee was like our mother that nourished her children. The mighty Indus River was our father, ever flowing to ensure our sustenance. We had perennial springs, wells and jhallars. Our life was simple and modest, and sometimes involved hardships and difficulties. We were, however, cooperative, reciprocal and loved each other. Most importantly, everything was ours and we were devoted to everything. We were free from the clutches of Sarkar (the government) and Suhkar (the banker).

We denounce the falsehood that our lands were desert and the canal brought us abundant water.

Truth! Then came the officials of Sarkar and Suhkar. Their dreadful imagination produced awful conditions. The canal was built. Everything changed. Rowed Kohee, our mother, turned its back from her children. She went through a strange metamorphosis. She turned into violent and raging floods. The Indus River, our father, abandoned us and inflicted unbearable sufferings upon us. Our springs disappeared. Our wells vomited poisonous canal water. Our lands were snatched away. Houses were demolished. Old ways and paths started to disappear.

Now, there are endless labyrinths to traverse.

Sarkar and Suhkar come to us and offer sympathies and promised to alleviate our sufferings and correct wrongs. A strange happening. Whenever we assemble and cement our alliances we are offered futile dialogues and false promises. When we stopped the canal at different points, we were promised that we would be provided alternative lands and houses. We were left wounded and annoyed. Then we were invited to participate in multi-stakeholders' dialogue. It left us bleeding. It is now third time that Sarkar and Suhkar have made the Committee to alleviate our sufferings and hardships. The old drink in a new bottle. It will also pass, leaving us without any destiny.

We denounce the falsehood of the promises. We reject the Committee and its recommendations. The Committee was imposed on us. It was established without our consent and participation. We refuse to play the old game.

The Committee even failed to properly assess our losses. We know our losses are immense and full compensation is not possible. Some of the losses are permanent and continue to occur time and again. Flooding. Some of the losses will start to surface in near future. Silting. Some of the losses are immaterial, like our community bonds and knowledge. Some of the losses can be however assessed and compensated. The Committee even failed to fully assess and offer any acceptable compensation for such losses.

We declare that our losses are in billions. We demand that these losses should be first recoded and properly assessed. Then we will engage in any meaningful dialogue with Sarkar and Suhkar.

We resolve hereby not to pay any abiana or water charges unless our losses are fully assessed and compensated. We are peaceful and non-violent people and resorting only to peaceful means - non-cooperation and disobedience.

Attended and endorsed by:

1. Chashma Requesters
2. Representatives of the following villages

3. Attended by the following solidarity networks and organizations:
O Pakistan NGO Forum
O Peoples Rights Movement
O Pakistan Network of Rivers and Dams and Peoples
O SUNGI Development Foundation
O Action Aid Pakistan
O Hirak Development Center
O Damaan Development Organization
O Mauj