28 organizations in Lakhimpur to initiate mass protests on March 20

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR, March 7: The State Government and the Lakhimpur district administration have not initiated even a single step to implement necessary measures to resolve the flood problem of Lakhimpur by constructing the unplugged and feeble embankments before the rainy season sets in. The erosion protection measures have also been not executed till the date. Observing this lackadaisical attitude on the part of the government and district administration, a joint meeting of 28 organizations under the aegis of Lakhimpur district unit of AASU was held at the Swahid Bhavan on Wednesday. In the meeting, the organizations warned the government and the district administration regarding the issue and decided to initiate a mass protest programme on March 20. The organizations termed the developmental activities which were going on in the district as mere farce after discussing and reviewing them in details. They also decided to initiate joint protest in this regard.

On the other hand, the joint meeting took up strict decision against the Rangadi Hydro Electric Plan (RHEP) operated by NEEPCO. The organizations alleged that the district administration was solely responsible for the miseries of the people of Lakhimpur caused by RHEP as the district administration had safeguarded NEEPCO with false information. They were in favour of decommissioning the river dam and stated that they would not retreat from protest until the river dam was decommissioned.

Several resolutions regarding the alleged corruption in the construction works of Lakhimpur College of Veteriry Science, Madhavdev University, various PWD roads, tiol highway, draige system of North Lakhimpur town in addition to lack of security of the people living in the border area of Assam and Aruchal, and exploitation of tural resources by anti-social elements were adopted.