AYCP resumes indefinite road blockade to NHPC project site

From a Correspondent

DHEMAJI, Feb 7: Assam Yuba Chatra Parishad (AYCP) has again started the road blockade to the Lower Subansiri NHPC dam site for an indefinite period.

Based on information, the AYCP members went to the project site to know the latest position of the NHPC project work but they were not allowed to enter the site by the security forces. There was some altercation between the security forces and the student leaders. The students got agitated at this and they burnt the effigy of NHPC in the middle of the Gogamukh centre and declared that all kinds of construction materials being transported to the project site would be stopped at Gogamukh in Dhemaji district and Khelmati in Lakhimpur district.

The AYCP activists were led by Ratul Borgohain, assistant general secretary of the central committee. The members of AYCP Dhemaji district branch were also present.  Ratul Borgohain visited the project site and confirmed the ongoing project work. The NHPC authority had earlier assured them that there would not be any construction work till the fil report came from the expert committee. But as the NHPC authority did not wait for the report and resumed the construction, the students got highly agitated and had to take the decision of indefinite road blockade.

Borgohain criticized the Central as well as the State Government for their lackadaisical attitude. They did not pay any attention to the appeal of the people of Assam who have been constantly opposing the construction of the dam as Assam is situated in a highly earthquake-prone zone. Sources said that almost 75 per cent project work had been completed. The construction of power house is almost complete. Out of eight turbines, the work of three turbines has also been completed.

 Hem Chandra Goswami, vice-president of AJYCP, Dipankar Gogoi, cultural secretary of the central committee and other local organizations of Bordolani, Dhemaji and Gogamukh participated in the agitation. People have urged the Government of Assam to look into the matter.