Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP Government at the Centre came under attack by the Assam regional political party Ason Gana Parishad (AGP) on Tuesday over the former’s move to lay the foundation stone of a 60 MW hydro power project in Bhutan.
The AGP’s reaction came a day after Modi laid the foundation stone of the 600 MW Kholongchu hydro-electric project, a joint-venture between India and Bhutan.
“Modi had spoken against the big dams in the region during his election campaigning in Assam and other parts of the North-East region. The same person after becoming the PM laid the foundation stone of Kholongchu hydro-electric project, which will bring devastation to Assam,” AGP general secretary Durgadas Bodo said.
“The Prime Minister should have considered that the dam of 60 MW Kurichu Hydel Project in Bhutan had caused massive devastation in five districts of Assam in 2004 and in 2007. If the 60 MW power project can cause such a devastation, one can imagine what kind of devastation will be created by the 600 MW project,” he said.
“It is unfortunate for the people of Assam that Modi has laid the foundation stone of such a large power project which will impact Assam,” he said adding this shows the BJP’s attitude towards people of Assam.
It may be mentioned here that the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) had also demanded a White Paper from the Centre on the Kholongchu Hydro Power Project.
“Though power availability is an unavoidable condition for development, Assam’s crops, land, habitats, culture and civilisation should not be allowed to be affected,” the students body had mentioned.
Assam’s leading farmers’ body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti had also opposed the move of the Centre to help the Bhutanese Government to construct a 600-MW hydel project.