Shillong, Feb 1: Under fear of being wiped out, villagers have come out on the streets to oppose the Kulsi Hydro-electric Dam project proposed to be constructed along the disputed inter-state boundary between the Kamrup district of Assam and West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts of Meghalaya.
Residents of around 35 villages have been protesting since 2019 against the proposed construction of a dam for the generation of hydro-electricity by the Assam government through the Brahmaputra Board in Kyrshai area.
The residents, NGOs and local leaders on Feb 1 staged a protest at Kyrshai under Rambrai-Jyrngam, urging the Meghalaya government not to give the No-objection Certificate (NOC) for the said dam project at Khri river.
The locals of Kyrshai — Khasi, Garo and Rabha, are of the view that if the project is completed, it will adversely impact as many as 35 villages and many of them will be inundated.
The protestors have demanded both the Meghalaya and Assam government to listen to the voice of the protesting people of the area and give up the idea of construction of the dam in that area.
It may be mentioned that Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had earlier informed that the State government would take a call on the proposed construction of Kulsi Dam along the border with Assam after examining the detailed project report.
