Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) activists gherao NHPC CMD at Gogamukh

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: Over hundred activists of the Dhemaji district unit of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) gheraoed Abhay Kumar Singh, the chairman and general Manager (CMD) of NHPC, on Friday at Gogamukh. During the demonstration, the activists of the organization made him accountable for the alleged arrogant attitude on the part of NHPC with regard to continuing the construction work of the controversial Subansiri project violating the recommendations of Assam Expert Committee.

The latest adverse impact of Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHP) in the downstream area of River Subansiri has once again boiled Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts. As a result of it, the anti-big dam agitation has taken a new twist in both districts, including Biswanath and Majuli.

The latest damaged condition of SLHP due to heavy rainfall and landslide and the fresh stir against it after its adverse impact in the downstream area of River Subansiri since August 26 have rocked the interior of the NHPC of late. Due to heavy downpour in past few days in the State of Arunachal Pradesh, the water level of the River Subansiri started to overflow in the catchment area of the SLHP. It resulted in excess water in the catchment area of the project rolling over the main dam since August 26 till day creating massive flood havoc in the downstream area of the river. The rapid surge of overflowing water also collapsed the guard wall which was constructed to protect the main dam of the project. Moreover, jam of big trees being washed away by the river turned one of the eight main diversion tunnels of the project completely non-functional on August 26. Two guard walls of the project collapsed in the month of May of the last year too. Following these, All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and AJYCP intensified the stir against the project in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts.

Under such circumstances, the NHPC CMD was compelled to decide to visit the SLHP site and he secretly arrived in Lakhimpur on Friday. Receiving the information of his arrival, the AJYCP activists gheraoed the NHPC CMD as soon as his convoy has reached Gogamukh town. During the demonstration, the protesters expressed their strong opposition to SLHP by shouting multiple number of slogans. They also shouted various slogans flaying the State and Union governments for their 'support' to commissioning the mega river dam project which has caused misery to lakhs of people in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts by inundating an extensive area before it has been commissioned.

Later, the NHPC CMD extended proposal to the organization to hold talk with it in connection with the sensitive issue. He asserted that he would soon issue invitation letter to the organization for the talk.

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