Protest against Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project in Lakhimpur

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: Massive protest programmes were initiated against Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHP), being constructed by NHPC Limited at the hill made of soft, sedimentary rock located at Gerukamukh of Dhemaji district in Assam-Arunachal border area. In the wake of the devastation at the project site during the last 72 hours due to natural calamities like incessant rain and landslide, the anti-big dam organizations have taken to the streets in Lakhimpur opposing the mega river dam project with 2000 MW installation capacity, by raising questions over the safety of the dam and security of the life and properties of the people living in the downstream areas of river Subansiri covering Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Majuli districts.

In this connection on Tuesday, the Lakhimpur district unit of All Assam Students' Union (AASU), in association with its regional bodies burnt the effigy of NHPC Limited across the district. The activists of the North Lakhimpur regional body of AASU staged the protest at Lakhimpur Girls' HS School Chariali of North Lakhimpur town demanding the closure of the SLHP. Taking part in the protest programme, AASU central committee executive member Dhanmoni Dutta, Lakhimpur district general secretary Swaraj Sankar Gogoi slammed NHPC, governments at the Centre and in the State regarding the issue. Dhanmoni Dutta said that the recent devastation, covering the damage of the Diversion Tunnel-2, collapse of the guard wall of the Power House had justified the Expert Committee's report regarding the safety of the dam. In this connection, he flayed BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the State regarding their U-turn from their past stand of opposition to the SLHP. Swaraj Sankar Gogoi said, "AASU is not against development. But we don't want development brought in exchange to the dead bodies of our native people."

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