JONAI, Oct 10 � At a time when several student organizations of Assam are moving against construction of big dams in Arunachal rivers, some organisations of Siang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh have also started their movement against the construction of the controversial Lower Siang power project and demanded immediate scrapping of the project. They also demanded halt to stop the proposed hearing on the project slated for October 18.
Several organisations of Arunachal Pradesh, like Adi Students� Union (AdiSU), Nyiko Bachao Forum (NBF), Adi Baane Kebang (ABK), Adi Bogung Bokang Kebang (ABBK) and others, have alleged that the Arunachal Government�s policy for land acquisition, relief and rehabilitation was not favouring the project-affected people.
Terming the hearing as �unilateral� and not based on the �study of downstream impact�, the West Pasighat Intellectual Forum (WPIF) warned the Arunachal government against the controversial hearing. The forum alleged that the Arunachal Government is not taking serious note of the adverse impact of the Lower Siang dam. �We will never let even an inch of our land to the power developers unless and until proper rehabilitation measures are initiated. We have strongly appealed to the project-affected people to continue their united efforts in order to protect their ancestral properties,� the forum said in the statement.
The 2,700-MW Lower Siang Project, implemented by the Jaypee Group of Industries, is a little under the weather with local organisations, including Lower Siang Affected People�s Association, Adi Students� Union and others demanded scrapping of the project, apprehending a severe downstream impact.
The ABK, in a memorandum recently submitted to Arunachal Governor Gen JJ Sing stated that there should be no construction of dam on mighty Siang river and the proposed public hearing on Lower Siang project be postponed immediately. Highlighting the grievances of the villagers likely to be affected by dam, the Kegang stated that almost all the villages of the Siang Valley are not aware of the nature of the proposed Siang dam.
It may be mentioned here that student organisations of Assam like AASU, TMPK and AJYCP have been opposing the 2,700-MW Lower Siang power project in East Siang district apprehending a severe downstream impact.
