Staff reporter
Guwahati: The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has made an urgent appeal to the Chief Minister of Assam, demanding a scientific and permanent solution to the recurring disasters caused by large river dams in the state. The student body expressed serious concern over the central government’s continued negligence in addressing the crisis and failing to protect the people of Assam from dam-induced floods.
AASU president Dipanka Kumar Nath, general secretary Sankar Jyoti Baruah, and chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharjee strongly criticized the lack of accountability and scientific planning in the construction and operation of big river dams. They said that despite repeated warnings and environmental concerns, the Centre continues to ignore the plight of people living downstream.
The AASU leaders specifically raised issues surrounding the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project, which has remained controversial due to its potential environmental and geological risks. They pointed out that even after the 2006 agreement between AASU and NHPC—which stipulated the fulfilment of safety and environmental conditions before the project could proceed—the central government has not honoured the commitments made.
Highlighting past public agitations in 2014 and 2018, AASU noted that mass protests had called for thorough scientific reviews of all dam projects in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. However, the concerns of the people have been consistently overlooked, they alleged.
During the press meet, the union passed several resolutions and key demands. These include the formation of a joint committee comprising representatives from the Centre, the state government, and AASU to review all major dam projects. They also demanded that no dam project be resumed or approved without conducting a Cumulative Downstream Impact Study.
Other demands include thorough environmental and geological assessments for new projects, ensuring the safety of downstream population before any construction begins, and public discussion of the findings of the earlier 8-member expert committee in a multi-stakeholder forum. AASU also insisted that local organizations be consulted before final decisions on dam construction are made.
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