Assam students’ body objects to construction of mega dams

GUWAHATI - All Assam Students Union (AASU) has warned the state and central governments to stop the construction of mega dams in Assam.

Samujjal Bhattacharya, advisor of the students’ body, said the experts committee has forbidden the construction of the Lower Subansiri Hydel Project at its present site as the well as construction of mega dams in earthquake-prone Himalayan foothills.

“We are not against development and power generation, but this should not be done at the cost of the lives of the common people. The government can take recourse to the micro-hydel projects, instead of mega dams for power generation,” Bhattacharya added.

“Since 2001, the AASU expressed concern over the issue of big dams. The fact that Lower Subansiri project was started without even completing a proper study was also brought to light by the students’ body,” he said.

“We will continue our peaceful, non-violent movement to protect the identity of the indigenous people of Assam, to develop Assam,” he added. (ANI)