Peasants’ body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) on August 27 staged demonstration in Guwahati protesting against the construction of 2000 MW river dam at Lower Subansiri hydro project at Gerukamukh along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.
The activists of the KMSS staged the protests in front of Hotel Vivanta by Taj where a crucial meeting was going on between the government and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd (NHPC) which is constructing the dam.
“We have come here to show our opposition against the construction of the dam. This will destroy the future of Assam. We will not let it happen at any cost,” KMSS adviser Akhil Gogoi said as he was stopped by the policemen from entering the hotel premises.
With the scores of policemen posted on the GS Road in front of the hotel to control the protestors, the entire stretch came to a halt for sometime at around 9am.
Several organizations including KMSS and All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) have long been opposing the construction of the dam citing the environment related issues.
Raj Kumar Singh, minister of state (Independent) of the Ministry of Power and minister of state (Independent) of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy was present along with the representatives of all the states in the meeting.
“We want to submit a memorandum to the union minister. This is a ploy to deceive the people of Assam. They never discussed with the people of Assam and the region. They must stop the construction of the dam,” said Gogoi.
Gogoi termed the pact which was signed between the state government and NHPC as illegal and it’s a document which will bring downfall to the people of Assam at the hand of the government. They have been opposing the construction of the mega dam citing that it will bring destruction in most of the upper Assam districts.
