Hyderabad: Thousands of protesters marched on Friday through Hyderabad, accusing the Asian Development Bank (ADB) of supporting poorly designed projects that have displaced thousands.
Raising slogans such as "ADB go back", nearly 5,000 protesters walked for almost two kilometers but were prevented by authorities from reaching their destination, the venue of an ongoing ADB board of governors' meeting.
Some of them painted the words "ADB Quit India" on their foreheads and bare chests.
The march was organised by The People's Forum Against ADB, a network of civil society groups and people affected by ADB-aided projects in Asia and the Pacific.
"The ADB is an extremely secretive, non-transport and unaccountable institution," said a statement issued by the network.
"ADB projects have continued to displace thousands of people across the region with little or no compensation, resulting in negative environmental and social impacts."
Shalmai Guttal, a network spokeswoman, claimed the ADB was protecting private interests and profits at the expense of government-owned companies.
International environmental group Greenpeace earlier this week criticised ADB-financed projects in Thailand such as a lignite mine and power plant in Mae Moh, saying the bank must be held accountable for allegedly damaging the country's environment.
The ADB has lent over US$352.3 million to the plant, said Tara Buakasmsri, an energy campaigner with Greenpeace, which claims the development of the project is responsible for mass respiratory illnesses, the destruction of livelihoods and the displacement of villagers.
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