Veer Lachit Sena stages massive protest against NHPC and SLHP

LAKHIMPUR: Strongly opposing the setting up of big river dam in highly seismic zone, several hundred members of Veer Lachit Sena, Assam (VLSA) once again rocked Lakhimpur with a massive protest programme against NHPC and Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHP) on Wednesday.

The members of the Lakhimpur district unit of the organization, led by district president Lulu Baruah, joint secretaries Satyajit Dutta and Bikash Gogoi, took out a large bike rally in the district demanding the permanent closure of the SLHP which is being constructed by NHPC at Gerukamukh in the Assam-Arunachal border area belonging to Dhemaji district. The rally was taken out from the office premises of the organization. The protesters drove towards the SLHP site to vehemently protest against the big river dam and NHPC. Lakhimpur Police and security personnel prevented them from going ahead at Charaimuriya near North Lakhimpur town. Ignoring the police and security personnel, the protesters rocked the environment with various anti-SLHP and anti-NHPC slogans. They also flayed the BJP governments at the Centre and in the State along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal regarding their U-turn in connection with the sensitive issue.

"Subansiri is not only river for us, but it is our lifeline. The river is our legend, past, present and our future. We cannot let the river die. River Subansiri produce 45,38,000 kg fishes per annum and fishermen who depend on the river for their livelihood can earn Rs. 22,69,00,000 (Rs. 50 per kilogram) with this production. The animal rearers, by rearing their livestock at the Char-Chapori of the river, can earn from Rs. 4,34,000 to Rs. 4,68,000 per annum. Similarly, the river resources, like sand gravel, pea-gravels also provide crores of revenue to the government and means of living to the local people. The blessings of the river are part of the life of the people living in the downstream area of the river. Farmers cultivate 30 species of Bao paddy and grow various crops and vegetables to fulfill the need of the district. These are only some small examples. Veer Lachit Sena can never tolerate any attempt to kill the river," stated the Lakhimpur unit VLSA president and the joint secretaries in a press release.

They also stated, "The opposition of big river dam to be constructed in Arunachal Pradesh does not mean opposing the government machinery. The construction of SLHP must be stopped."

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