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Govt should make stand clear: Patkar

By Staff reporter

GUWAHATI, July 13 � The �Narmada Bachao� movement leader Medha Patkar today called upon the Government of Assam to take a clear stand on the issue of big dams coming up in the region.

In the city to support the movement launched by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS), Patkar also emphasized on the fact that India and Assam in particular must not rely on China on the issue of diversion of the river Brahmaputra.

�There is no dearth of natural resources in this ecologically fragile North Eastern region, but the dearth is of leadership to take the technical challenge of harnessing those resources in a sustainable manner that is also people friendly,� said Patkar, while talking to the media here.

The KMSS has planned to launch a public movement through a rally tomorrow demanding for decommissioning of the Lower Subansiri Hydro-power Project and all other big hydro-power projects and supporting the micro dam projects.

�The large dams symbolize the development paradigm adopted by the country today as against the available alternatives that are people friendly and are being successfully followed in many other parts of the country. We support the movement launched by the KMSS and other like minded mass base organisations against the big dams,� said Patkar.

�The Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi issues statements against the SEZs and big dams in the State. But we have not seen him taking a firm stand on the issue. Being a shrewd politician, he should understand that steps against the people�s wishes would rather give a boost to the public movement,� she mentioned.

Bringing the issue of National Hydro-electric Power Corporation�s (NHPC)�s expert panel report, she mentioned that the report itself speaks volumes about the vulnerability of the region if the big dams are constructed on the river Brahmaputra.

�When the Government is ready to have dialogue with the groups that are doing armed struggle, why a dialogue can not be held with the mass-based groups that are leading unarmed struggle on the basic issue of development,� she said.

KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi alleged that the State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is trying to cancel the permission of the mass rally scheduled tomorrow.

�Whether it is the Lower Subansiri Hydro-power Project, Pagladia or Tipaimukh projects, the community organizations should unite to oppose all the big dam projects, to have the ownership over their own resources,� Patkar further added.

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