Dam opposed by two states’ villagers

SHILLONG, APR 14: Meghalaya and Assam villagers residing on both the sides of Umiam river near Lamalong gathered at Umswai playground in Karbi Anglong district on Friday to oppose the construction of NEEPCO’s Killing Hydro Electric project.

Both Meghalaya and Assam governments had given the No Objection Certificate –NOC- to the 240 MW NEEPCO project at Umiam river with an estimated height of 100 meters from the river bed.

However the construction of the dam will submerge more than 600 sq.km  displacing villagers in not less than 20 inhabited areas and affecting around 1000 families. Agricultural land, heritage, graveyards, flora and fauna will also be inundated by the dam.

Affected villagers from Meghalaya and Assam formed a Joint Action Committee –JAC- to opposed the Killing Hydro Electric project and on Friday gathered at Umswai play ground to stage the rally to oppose the said dam.

The rally was unanimous that it will not succumb to any sort of pressure either by the governments or NEEPCO but will continue to oppose the construction of the dam. The rally also demanded that both the state governments withdraw the NOCs given by them to NEEPCO.\

Expressing their opposition the JAC has submitted memorandum to Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi through legislator Monsingh Rongpih and to Meghalaya government and Meghalaya power minister Clement Marak through legislator Julius K Dorphang.

The JAC also appealed to people from both the two states, social activists and the individuals to support the movement opposing the construction of the dam.- By Our Reporter