Opposition leader calls for special Assembly session to discuss big dam issue, women's security

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Leader of Opposition, Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia on Sunday demanded a special session of the assembly to discuss the big dam issue and the issue of women' s security in the State.

Addressing a press conference in the city on Sunday, Saikia said, "Three districts in North Assam are on the verge of destruction due to the government's mistake. When a mass movement was started against the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHP) during the Tarun Gogoi government's rule in 2010, a committee was formed and tasked with submitting a report on the destructive effect of such projects on the Brahmaputra and other rivers. The committee had recommended following the CD Thatte and Reddy committee, with the observation that a big dam should not be constructed on the proposed site. The Sonowal government, however, signed a memorandum of understanding with NHPC in 2019 without implementing the recommendations of the bipartite agreement of 2014, which goes against Assam and will lead to less electricity for the State. Arunachal will receive 200 megawatts of electricity solely due to the reason that the power house and reservoir are located in that State while Assam will receive only 25 megawatts despite the possibility of destruction here."

He further said, "Tarun Gogoi had not signed the agreement but Sonowal did so only to please Delhi. Now, water is flowing above the 115 metre dam in the Lower Subansiri hydro project, posing a big threat to the districts of Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Majuli." He demanded a special assembly session to discuss the issue and take a balanced decision.

Saikia alleged that women in the State were insecure during the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. "A girl student in Dhemaji was attacked with a machete, leading to her death, in broad daylight. This is very unfortunate. Crimes against women have increased exponentially in the last five years of the BJP government." Saikia demanded a special session of the Assembly to discuss the issue and pass a special law for security of women. He also demanded that a special task force should be created in Assam Police, with a lady IPS officer and branches in every district.

The Leader of Opposition alleged that the Sonowal and Himanta Biswa Sarma governments had failed to display keen interest required to solve the border problems of the State. He also asserted that COVID vaccination process in Assam was being conducted at a very slow pace, compared to other States in the country.

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