GUWAHATI: Protests have started in northern Assam since Wednesday morning to thwart an attempt by the authorities to transport turbines to the NHPC big dam site at Gerukamukh in Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.
Supporters of several organisations, including the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), All Assam Students Union (AASU) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), have erected blockades throughout the route that the turbine-carrying trucks are likely to take enroute to Gerukamukh.
Several protestors were injured at Sootea in Sonitpur district when police forcibly cleared the blockade in the morning and arrested the protestors.
The trucks are being taken with escort vehicles provided by the govt but are likely to be confronted by protestors on its way.
Reports of squatters blocking the road along the route to Gerukamukh have been received and the KMSS, AASU and AJYCP are reportedly mobilising their members and general public to join the protests.
The civil society organisations have been protesting the big dams being planned and executed in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh, pointing to the devastating impacts these dams are likely to cause in downstream areas, particularly in northern Assam. (UNI)