DIBRUGARH, Dec 5 - In an apparently harrowing situation, the district administration, which was engaged for about six-prolonged hours while negotiating with a protesting crowd over the ongoing solid waste management project at Khanikar, eventually gave in and temporarily suspended all works at the project site until next round of discussion on December 8.
The protesters comprising the villagers of Khanikar, Thakurthan, Lekai and Jokai led by local units of Assam Tea Tribes Students� Association, Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha and Lekai Sanmilito Milan Sangha staged a demonstration near the office of the Deputy Commissioner since 10 am today, demanding withdrawal of the project from the demarcated site.
The protesters are of the opinion that the project would snatch away the livelihood of several tea garden workers if they have to part with a plot of the tea garden land for the project and that the area including Sessa river, agricultural land would be exposed to unchecked toxic wastes in the near future.
The protest, virtually brought the traffic to a standstill, particularly on Mancotta road from Chowkidinghee intersection to the Income Tax Office. The district administration led by Additional District Magistrate Sanjay Dutta and Circle Officer Tarali Das tried to convince the leaders of the protesting groups about the need and benefit of the project but they refused to subscribe to their views.
The civil officials then offered to hold discussion with the aggrieved parties and asked them to call off the protest. However, the protesters placed a condition that the works at the project site must stop, which the administration rejected. The bargain continued until 4:20 pm, when ADC Sanjay Dutta following a discussion with Deputy Commissioner Laya Madduri, said that all works of the solid waste treatment site would be stopped until December 8. In the next three-days, the protesting leaders were asked to convince others about the importance of the project and report to the district administration.
The demonstration was called off to the much relief of the waiting newsmen and the cops on duty since morning as they could hardly stand due to hunger and fatigue. It needs to be mentioned her that over eight buses were brought in by the police in case of arrest of the protesters. Police personnel were also ready with other anti-protest gears as the protesters refused to budge for the entire day.