GUWAHATI, June 12 – The 2000-MW Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project (LSHEP) proposed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is facing stiff opposition from the people of the State because of the alleged non-transparent approach of the Power Corporation, if not for other reasons. The attitude of the NHPC authorities is such that they are not willing to talk to newsmen on any of the issues concerning the project. Even, on the allegations levelled against them by many the organizations and individuals of the State, particularly of Dhemaji district, they are not willing to clarify their position for reasons best known to them.
Meanwhile, preparations are on to form an ‘Aikya Mancha’ of the organizations and individuals of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts and Majuli sub-division of Jorhat district to ensure shelving of the Lower Subansiri Project. The decision to form the ‘Aikya Mancha’ (joint platform) was adopted at a public meeting organised by the Gogamukh local unit of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP).
The Lakhimpur and Dhemaji district units of the AJYCP were authorized to organize the ‘Aikya Mancha’ at the earliest, Ratul Bargohain, president of the Dhemaji district unit of the AJYCP said. The meeting also decided to move court on the issue, he told this correspondent at Dhemaji a few days back.
Opposing the dam, the AJYCP Dhemaji district unit also organized a mass sit-in demonstration at Gogamukh on June 5.
On the other hand, the Dhemaji district unit of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) also organized a 72-hour road blockade from 5 am of June 6, to prevent movement of fuel carrying vehicles to the Gerukamukh site of the Hydel Project on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.
The agitation of the AASU members is but a product of the alleged continuation of dam construction activities by the NHPC authorities in contravention of the expert committee suggestion to keep such activities at bay till its final report is submitted.
The AASU however, is not against the hydel project. What it is opposed to is the defiant attitude of the NHPC authorities, said Chittaranjan Basumatary and Jyotish Koch, president and general secretary respectively of the All Dhemaji District Studdents’ Union (ADDSU).
The ADDSU has also threatened to block the road leading to NHPC’s Gerukamukh site and also an economic blockade programme against the NHPC authorities if their (NHPC’s) defiant attitude continues.
The expert committee was formed at a Tripartite meeting attended by representatives of State Government, NHPC and AASU.
Ratul Bargohain alleged that the NHPC authorities also misled the people by stating in their environmental impact assessment (EIA) report that there was no wildlife at the LSHEP site. In fact, there exists an elephant corridor in the area. Other wild animals too have their habitats there, said Bargohain.
He also maintained that the 405-MW Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project, which is comparatively much smaller than the 2000-MW LSHEP, has taught the people of Assam a good lesson on the adverse impacts of the hydel projects on the environment and livelihood of the people.
On top of these, a Gogamukh-based environment group People’s Movement for Subansiri Brahmaputra Valley (PMSBV) has been organizing mass demonstrations and rallies against the LSHEP for the past several years. It has also joined hands with other organizations to spread the agitation to other areas. It is also receiving support from some major environment groups of the country and abroad.
Soruce:http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=jun1309/at05
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