AJYP blows ‘Ranadhwani’ against SLHP, launches continuous agitation programme

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: The environment of Lakhimpur was once again rocked by the anti-big river dam agitation initiated by Lakhimpur district unit of Asom Jatiyabadi Yuva Parishad (AJYP) on Thursday.

The organization kicked off a series of continuous agitation programmes titled ‘Ranadhwani’ against the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHP) set up by NHPC Limited at Gerukamukh in the Assam-Arunachal border area under Dhemaji district. As a part of the series of agitation programmes, the organization set up an SLHP construction materials watching centre (point) near Hanuman Mandir in Lakhimpur town on Thursday and the protesters declared continuous agitation by blowing daba (drum), sankha (conch), khol and taal against the project. Launching the protest programme, the organization demanded the closure of SLHP as per No. 1, 2, 3 paragraphs of the Expert Committee Report. The protest meeting chaired by president Lulu Baruah submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The memorandum quoted a statement of the Prime Minister made in the 37-minute long speech given at a meeting at Pachighat – “I know the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh are against large power projects. I respect your sentiment in this respect but protecting the environment using environmental technology, the hydro power can also be harnessed with smaller project.” Referring to this statement, the organization demanded the Prime Minister to take steps against the SLHP. The memorandum further stated that the present Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also opposed the Subansiri dam project. Despite such circumstances, no credulous steps have been taken to stop the SLHP which is a tremendous threat to the life and property of the people living in the Subansiri riverine area in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli districts. At this, the organization expressed vehement resentment and alleged that the BJP-led Union and State governments had stealthily initiated moves to construct the project.

In the protest programme, AJYP Lakhimpur unit general secretary Sudipta Hazarika, vice-president Babali Gogoi, joint secretary Imtiaz Hussain and member Habibur Rahman shaved off their head while slamming Lakhimpur MLA Utpal Dutta, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, MP Pradan Baruah and P&RD Minister Naba Kumar Doley.

AJYCP central committee adviser Surajit Bhuyan, environmental and anti-big dam activist Keshab Krishna Chatradhara, journalist Sailen Baruah, members of various organizations along with hundreds of Subansiri riverine people were among those who were present in the programme.

As part of the series of agitation, the organization will organize a yagya on November 30 to condemn the SLHP supporters and then the Jal Sankalpa programme will be held on December 1. On December 2, the organization will pay tribute to Chao Lung Syu-ka-Fa and will stage continues protest programmes from December 3.

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