Protest: NOC for Killing

NONGPOH, FEB 17:  The Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation central body on Monday criticized the Meghalaya government for issuing NOC to Assam government to construct the Killing Hydro Electric Project at Umiam River despite strong opposition by the local people of Lamalong area under Mawhati constituency in Ri-Bhoi district.

This project to be constructed by NEEPCO under the Assam government is opposed by the local people of Lamalong and various organizations from Ri-Bhoi district.

It is also learnt that even All Tiwah Student Union (ATSU) from Karbi Anglong in Assam has opposed the construction of project as various agricultural land and even some villages located near the river will be submerged if the dam is constructed in the said river.

Speaking to reporter,RBYF president Bipul Thangkhiew has slammed the state government for giving NOC to the Assam government to construct the project even as it turned Nelson eyes to the local people’ s problem if the dam will be constructed by NEEPCO to generating electricity.

“The protest to construct the project was not a fresh protest by the local people of Lamalong village under Mawhati Constituency, but it dates back to forty year ago when (L) Martin N Majaw was the local MLA of Mawhati” Thangkhiew said.

Thangkhiew also denounced the Meghalaya government for giving no objection certificate to construct the project to the Assam government which he said will adversely affect the agriculture land and some village will even be submerged.

Thangkhiew said that the RBYF has demanded that the Meghalaya government should cancel the NOC for the construction of Killing Hydro Electric Project at Umiam river. He warned that the RBYF will otherwise not hesitate to protest through other means to protect the right of the local people in Lamalong area under Ri-Bhoi district.- By Our Reporter