GUWAHATI, May 5 - The National Alliance of People�s Movements (NAPM), while condemning the police firing on a group of peaceful protesters at Tawang on Monday, has demanded immediate action against the officials responsible for the incident.
Two persons � Monk Nyima Wangdue and Tshering Tenpa � were killed and many others were injured when police opened fire on the group protesting against the arrest of Lama Lobsang Gyatso, one of the most vocal opponents of the hydropower projects proposed to be set up in Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh.
The NAPM alleged in a statement here today that the Arunachal Pradesh Government has remained apathetic to the whole situation arising out of the police firing. Even as Tawang continues to be in the grip of shock following the incident, State Chief Minister Kalikho Pul made a �complete insensitive statement� at a function organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in New Delhi on Tuesday. The CM advocated fast-tracking environmental clearances to the hydropower projects and suggested single window clearance to the hydel project developers, it said.
�This only shows complete contempt for the sufferings of the people and environmental destruction and concern for corporate profiteering,� said NAPM.
It further stated that when the world over the big dams are being done away with, it is extremely unfortunate that in India efforts are on to harness the hydropower in the most environmentally sensitive regions, or, in densely populated areas, displacing massive populations. Around 250 hydropower projects are in the pipeline in Arunachal Pradesh only, which would prove fatal for the whole North East and Himalayan region, said NAPM.
The overall planning of hydro development in Arunachal Pradesh and the Himalayan region needs a thorough examination keeping in mind the people�s interest first. Until then a moratorium should be there on the hydropower projects, it said.
