Fwd: Arrested

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Preethi Herman, Greenpeace India <Greenpeace.india@mailing.greenpeace.org>
Date: Tue, Jun 21, 2011 at 3:29 PM
Subject: Arrested
To: palashbiswaskl@gmail.com

Dear Palash,

Stand up against coal and they put you in jail! Activists Ramesh Agrawal and Dr Harihar Patel were arrested and Mr. Agrawal was even inhumanly chained to his hospital bed for exposing an environmental violation in Chattisgarh.^[1]

Click here to ask CM Raman Singh to free activists Ramesh Agrawal and Dr Harihar Patel

Mr. Agrawal and Dr Patel exposed irregularities in the environmental clearance process for a coal fired thermal power plant being built by the Jindal group in Raigarh.^[2] In return, they have been arrested on false charges. Their first two appeals for bail have been denied. A third bail plea will be heard at the Chattisgarh High Court this week.

This is a struggle to save our environment from permanent damage. We need to act fast to help free Mr. Agrawal and Dr Patel.The Chattisgarh Chief Minister, Raman Singh needs to know that people across the country support brave activists like Ramesh Agrawal and Harihar Patel.

You should sign this fax asking the Chattisgarh CM to free the brave activists and investigate those responsible for the false charges against them.

http://www.greenpeace.in/take-action/support-brave-activists-fax-raman-singh.php

The fax says "Chief Minister Raman Singh, respect public opinion - release activists Ramesh Agrawal and Dr Harihar Patel and investigate those responsible for the false charges against them."

Your signature will be faxed to the CM's office. People across the country and even outside it have been demanding their release. Lots and lots of faxes flooding the CM's office will help add more strength to this demand. It will help put pressure on the authorities to take action.

Even as Mr Agrawal and Dr Patel languish in prison our government is looking at ways to fast track private coal mining projects in dense forest areas. A Group of Ministers entrusted with the task of choosing between the last remaining forests of central and eastern India and coal,^[3] will meet next month to discuss this.

There are renewable energy ^[4] and energy efficiency measures which can help meet our needs. Instead of looking at the alternatives the government is trying to gag those who are trying to stand up against coal, to save our environment and forests. Speak up now! Ask CM Raman Singh to free activists Ramesh Agrawal and Dr Harihar Patel.

http://www.greenpeace.in/take-action/support-brave-activists-fax-raman-singh.php

Thanks a billion!


Preethi Herman,
Climate and Energy Campaigner,
Greenpeace India.

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Sources:

1. RTI activist arrested, chained to hospital bed, CNN-IBN, June 2, 2011
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/rti-activist-arrested-chained-to-hospital-bed/156273-3.html

2. Arrest of an activist raises uncomfortable questions, Times of India, June 4, 3 2011
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-04/india/29620090_1_sessions-court-chhattisgarh-patel

3. Coal GoM to fast-track 8 projects, big firms to gain, Business Standard, June 10, 2011
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/coal-gom-to-fast-track-8-projects-big-firms-to-gain/438596/

4. Renewable energy can power the world, says landmark IPCC study, Guardian, May 9, 2011
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/09/ipcc-renewable-energy-power-world

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--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/