AJYCP, AASU demand scrapping of Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project

LAKHIMPUR: Following the massive landslide at Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHP), subsequent blockage of diversion tunnels of the project, sudden fall of water level in the downstream of the River Subansiri, death of large number of aquatic living beings in the river, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) on Saturday staged massive protest at Gerukamukh and Gogamukh demanding the closure of the contentious mega river dam project being constructed by NHPC Limited.

In this connection, the members of the AJYCP demonstrated in front of the Main Gate of the SLHP and burnt the effigy of Union Power Minister Raj Kumar Singh. The protest programme was jointly organized by Lakhimpur and Dhemaji district units of the AJYCP. Taking part in the demonstration, AJYCP central committee general secretary Ratul Borgohain spewed venom against Union Government, State Government and NHPC Limited for continuing the construction of the mega river dam project without follow the suggestions of the Expert Committee. He demanded that Government of Assam should take a resolution to close the mega dam and the resolution should be submitted to the Union Government at the earliest. He alleged that the Government of Assam is planning to destroy the downstream of the River Subansiri only for 25 MW electricity. “We are not big dam expert. Similarly, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, any minister of his cabinet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi are also not big dam expert. But why was the report on the SLHP, submitted by the big dam experts, not made public by them till date?” Ratul Borgohain said. He reiterated that AJYCP would continue its stir against the SLHP in the upcoming days too. The protest programme was also participated by AJYCP joint secretary Bishnu Sarmah, organizing secretary Pradip Sarmah, Lakhimpur district unit president Hiranya Dutta, Dhemaji district unit president Gyan Sarmah along with many top level office bearers of the organization.

On the other hand, the members of the Dhemaji district unit of the AASU burnt the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and dummy of NHPC Limited at Gogsmukh Chariali demanding the closure of the SLHP. Prior to it, the members of the Dhemaji AASU took out a protest rally covering the Gogamukh town. The protesters wer interrupted by police and it led a heated arguments between the police and the AASU members. The protesters rent the environment by shouting different slogans against Union and State governments and NHPC Limited. Dhemaji AASU demanded the governments to close the dam and protect the lives and properties of the people living in the downstream of the River Subansiri. AASU central committee executive member Rajib Gogoi, Rabi Kachari, Dhemaji district unit adviser Dipak Sarmah, president Sanjib Das, general secretary Jayana Borgohain were among those who took part in the protest programme.

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