Protesters threatened with arrest
BY Pennapa Hongthong
The Nation, May 17, 2000
UBON RATCHATHANI Provincial governor Siwa Saengmanee
yesterday set a deadline of Friday for villagers protesting at Pak Mool dam to
leave the site, or face arrest.
Ubon Ratchathanis Governor said if the protestors had not
left the site within three days they would face arrest.
As many as 1,000 villagers are currently protesting against
the dam, which they say has destroyed prime local fisheries. They have asked the
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to open the dams gates to allow
the river to flow in the hope of replenishing local fish.
But the governor yesterday deemed their protest illegal,
saying they were obstructing the dams operation.
He accused the villagers of trying to damage state property,
because they had maneuvered their boats into a restricted area of the reservoir.
They had sailed close to the lockboom used to prevent floating
sewage passing through the dams electricity generating engine, he said.
According to witnesses, the villagers carried only fishing
instruments called chamuak (spears).
Local officials have said that the governors stance does
not reflect the will of the people.
I dont consider them villagers, but protesters, Siwa
said.
They tend to be more and more violent. I cannot let them
protest freely anymore.
Siwa added that people would not support provincial
authorities who allowed breaches of the law.
The governor yesterday afternoon sent his deputy, Prapas
Boonyindee, to meet the villagers leader Wanida Tantiwittayaphitak to inform
him of the Friday deadline.
About 500 protesters remain at the site and more fishermen
have sailed their boats into the dam reservoir.
The rest of the villagers have moved their protest to a nearby
area where they have established a temporary settlement.
About 400 police have been sent to take control of the area.
The protesters yesterday insisted they would not be moved
until authorities conceded to their demands.
The group is demanding the Electricity Generating Authority of
Thailand, the dams owner, admit the dam has destroyed fisheries and killed
local fish stocks. |