A CORRESPONDENT
LAKHIMPUR: Strong agitation programmes against the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLEP) by anti-big river dam organizations continue in Lakhimpur district.
The activists of the Lakhimpur district unit of Tai Ahom Yuva Chatra Sanmilan, Asom (TAYCSA), led by president Joy Jyoti Gogoi, working president Jayanta Gogoi, joint general secretaries Akshay Gogoi and Dulu Lahon, blocked the NH-15 on Monday at the main centre of Laluk Tiniali in the district demanding the permanent closure of the controversial big river dam project.
The organization also demanded the State Government to start teaching in Tai language from the lower primary level schools to the colleges of the State. The organizations further demanded exemplary punishment against the employees of the controversial Zenith Dance Institution Private Limited, who were allegedly involved in displaying the Bihu dance of Assam in deformed state in the inaugural session of the Fit India Movement held in New Delhi on August 29.
The protesters rocked the environment shouting slogans against NHPC and SLEP and in support of their other demands while staging the protest. In this regard, the organization submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal through the Deputy Commissioner of Lakhimpur. Circle Officer Kuldeep Padun took the memorandum from the protesters arriving at the spot while representing the district administration.
Meanwhile, continuing the strong opposition against the 2000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLEP), the activists of All Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) staged a mega mass demonstration on Monday at Gogamukh of Dhemaji district demanding the permanent closure of the contentious big river dam project set up by NHPC Limited at Gerukamukh.
In the massive protest programme, organized by Dhemaji district unit of AJYCP and under the auspices of its Lakhimpur, Biswanath and Majuli district committees, the organization demanded to close all the hydroelectric projects of the north-eastern region.
In support of their demands, the organization took out a mega mass rally from the Rajiv Gandhi Sport Project complex at Mohori Camp at Gogamukh in Dhemaji district. The rally then proceeded towards the office of NHPC Limited. A large troop of Assam Police personnel and Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel obstructed the protesters at Dirpai, preventing them from proceeding further. As a result of it, a tense situation and hue and cry prevailed in the place with the confrontation among the security personnel and the protesters of the organization. However, the situation did not turn to worse and the protesters were potent enough to proceed towards their destination breaking the barricade of the security forces. Right at that moment, the Circle Officer of Gogamukh Revenue Circle, representing the district administration, along with other officials arrived at the spot and promised the protesters to inform about their demands to the State Government. Taking part in the agitation programme, the State general secretary of the AJYCP, Polash Changmai came down heavily against NHPC, the State and Union governments regarding the controversial SLEP issue.