Congress demands stay order on Subansiri project

Itanagar, Jul 4 : The Arunachal Congress has appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to put a stay order on the Lower Subansiri hydro-electric project at Gerukamukh in the state.

In a memorandum to the Prime Minister, the Congress pointed out that the project would submerge vast agricultural land displacing around one lakh indigenous population, which have been enjoying their ownership rights over the river and the forest since time immemorial. Questioning about the rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced people, the party protested against the proposed national park along the catchment area that would displace large number of tribals.

''Implementation of the project would be violation of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's philosophy, who advocated developement of tribals by encouraging and respecting their traditions and culture, the Congress said.

The Congress said the tribals were already under the threat of marginalisation and displacement due to the presence of Chakma refugees and this project would only add to their agonies.

Disagreeing to the condition laid by the Supreme Court, the Congress alleged that the dam would not only disturb the fragile ecology of the Eastern Himalayas but create serious 'disharmony' between Asom and Arunachal Pradesh.

UNI