Lakhimpur regional unit of AASU demands halt to Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project, stages sit-in

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: Following the controversial statement made by Arunachal Pradesh Governor, retired Brigadier Dr. BD Mishra allegedly extending ‘support’ to the Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project (LSHEP) on June 5 in the floor of State Assembly, the agitation against big dam has become intense in Lakhimpur.

The activists of the North Lakhimpur regional unit of All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) on Tuesday initiated sit-in in front of Lakhimpur Deputy Commissioner’s office in North Lakhimpur town demanding the halt of the secret construction of the LSHEP being indulged in by National Hydroelectric Project Corporation (NHPC). Regarding the issue, the organization submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India calling upon his intervention towards stopping the construction work of the big dam.

“The experts of Assam have clearly expressed about the destructive impact of the big dam, having the capacity of generating 2000MW electricity, upon the downstream of the Subansiri River. At present, the issue of the construction of the big dam is under the trial in the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal which have still not pronounced their verdicts. Despite such circumstances, the NHPC has been constructing the big dam violating the courts. We have vehemently condemned such attitude of the NHPC authority and called upon you to initiate steps to stop NHPC from constructing the big dam,” stated the memorandum, countersigned by North Lakhimpur AASU president Pranjit Gogoi and secretary Punam Jyoti Burhagohain.

Demonstrating the same protest programme, the organization demanded the Lakhimpur Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Jeevan B to launch an inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of funds with regard to the construction of the Ranganadi River embankments and to mitigate the flood and erosion problem. Further demands were raised to appoint permanent headmasters and principals in the schools and colleges in the district where these posts were lying vacant and to wipe out the smuggling of fake gold, fake currency, gambling, illegal business of drugs and liquor ongoing unabatedly in some certain places in the district. Regarding these demands, the organization, submitted a separate memorandum to the DC.

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