ES Reporter

 ITANAGAR, Aug 7: Save Mon Region Federation (SMRF) has urged the state government and hydropower giant NHPC to rollback its decision to build the 600 MW and 800 MW Dams in Tawang as a part of its Stage –I and stage –II project.

Addressing reporters at press club today, General Secretary SMRF, Lobsang Gyatso claimed that despite resolution taken by the project affected people  to reject  the said project  during  a mass meeting  held in presence  of  local MLAs, Deputy Commissioner, PRI leaders on  February 17 last, the NHPC is in a hurry to continue its operations in the area.

‘More than 28 villages will be affected both geographically and demographically from this Rs 20,000 crore project,’ claimed the SMRF General Secretary.

He further lamented that, there is no choice for the affected people in Tawang either they have to surrender their land or face bullets.‘The May 2 firing incident last year is a prime example where innocent people were killed to crush their democratic voice,’ he alleged.

He further threatened that if NHPC or government would not stop their movement in the area by the coming winter, SMRF will be compelled to reach out to the United Nations seeking asylum for its people.

There is only limited land in Tawang most of which are occupied by the Indian Army and the remaining land is mostly hilly, so if we lose that too then  there will be no place for habitation. Where will these people go and earn their living?, he questioned.

There are already more than 20 (mini) hydro projects in Tawang and if these two mega projects would come up then it is really alarming for us, stated Gyatso.

'We have also submitted memorandum to Chief Minister on the same issue but till date no outcome has come through,' he added.

Further, claiming last year’s May 2 incident as a well planned incident, Vice President LT Khom sought justice for those who lost their lives and for those who are fighting for their life in hospital.

‘There are people who are still struggling for life after the tragic incident but to our utter surprise that there are victims who are still waiting for support which had been assured by the state government. A year has passed but victims are still struggling for their lives,’ added the Vice President.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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