EIA-2020 draft a tremendous threat to biodiversity of NE: AASU

LAKHIMPUR: The district of Lakhimpur was once again rocked with strong protest programmes against the proposed Environmental Impact Assessment - 2020 Draft (EIA-2020 Draft) and contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019 on Monday.

The activists of the North Lakhimpur regional unit of All Assam Students' Union (AASU), led by president Pranjit Gogoi and general secretary Punamjyoti Burhagohain, took to the streets on Monday demanding the immediate scrapping of the EIA-2020 Draft. In support of the demand, the AASU activists formed human chain in North Lakhimpur town.

"The proposed EIA-2020 draft is a tremendous threat to the environment and biodiversity of the north-eastern region. The Union Government wants to enforce it autocratically. We will never allow the Union Government to turn the draft into an Act," said Pranjit Gogoi leading the protest programme.

By initiating the stir, North Lakhimpur AASU slammed the Union Government for its alleged 'autocratic' attitude adopted with regard to replacing the existing EIA Notification, 2006 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The protesters rocked the environment by shouting various slogans against BJP-led Union and State governments and in support of their demand. Taking part in the programme, Lakhimpur district unit AASU general secretary Dhanmoni Dutta strongly reiterated that their organization would never accept the EIA Draft.

On the other hand, the Lakhimpur district unit of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) also initiated stir in North Lakhimpur town opposing the EIA-2020 Draft and CAA-2019. In this regard, the organization formed human chain demanding the immediate scrapping of the draft and CAA in front of the Lakhimpur Deputy Commissioner's office. AJYCP central committee assistant general secretary Sourabh Das took part in the programme. He severely criticized the governments at the Centre and in the State regarding both issues.

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