MUMBAI, Aug 12: In a move that may appear to some as a deliberate effort to create differences among Enron agitationists, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde today claimed that he had succeeded in convincing local Macchimar Samitis (fishermen associations) about the Enron project, during the round of talks that he had held with them.Speaking at a press conference today, Munde said, ``In the end, they listened to their original leader and not to somebody from outside,'' referring to Medha Patkar, the leader of the Enron Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, which also included members of the Macchimar Samiti. Munde, before becoming a minister, had also vehemently opposed the project.All cases against the fishermen would be withdrawn, the Deputy Chief Minister assured. Besides, financial compensation will be paid to the fishermen affected by the project, though the actual amount to be paid has not yet been decided.The Government will also nominate a representative from the fishermen's society to the panel formed according to High Court directives to look into the project. A 11-member committee will also be formed with fishermen and zilla parishad members to discuss all further issues cropping up because of the project.He added that a temple which had been acquired by Enron will not be demolished. Taking a dig at Medha Patkar, Munde said it was a ``historic'' temple where the debates on the project were held. ``How can we allow such a temple to be demolished,'' he added.A road will however be built for the people of Katalwadi and Bhorbatle to the temple.Munde also announced a major policy decision, under which the State Government has decided not to displace people living in any village for any other project coming up in the State. However, this does not include those who have already been displaced.Instead, they have been given an assurance in writing that the project will not be expanded, Munde explained. ``They were afraid that the Enron project will be expanded, which could lead to further displacement.'' The conference was preceded by a meeting with representatives of fishermen of six to seven villages in the Guhagar taluka.Despite the Government's claims, the conflict among the participants was obvious at the meet when Nand Kumar Rohilkar, head of the Macchimar Association of Navanagar, warned that if the Government backtracked on their assurances, agitations will be started again.
