AAPSU opposes power projects sans policy

Itanagar, Jun 2 (UNI) In view of inviting tenders for power project constructions in the state, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) today urged the state to ensure cent per cent job reservation for the C and D grade locals along with suitable relief and rehabilitation for the people.

Taking strong exception to the government's move to implement a large number of hydro-power projects in Dibang Valley and Lohit basin despite strong opposition from several quarters, the apex students' body cautioned the government to reconsider its decision and said that implementing the projects without proper policies would jeopardise the very existence of communities that are likely to be affected by the proposed dams and create unrest among the people.

''We are not against construction of power projects in the state, but it would oppose construction of dams without knowing the pros and cons of the projects,'' AAPSU general secretary Ojing Tasing and convenor Kamta Lapung said in a statement adding, before inviting tenders for large number of dams, the government should formulate power policy for the benefit of indigenous people.

Stating that such hasty project implementation would encourage unabated influx of outsiders in this purely tribal state, the AAPSU leaders categorically said, ''We will not allow anybody to make our state next to Tripura in the name of development and the state cannot be a sufferer for the benefit of a few vested interests.'' The union also expressed surprise over the alleged signing of Memorandum of Agreement(MoA) with M/S Patel construction and Bhilwara Group for implementation of Munna Camp project and Manzangchu river project respectively without caring the geographical effect in earthquake prone zone.

Meanwhile, opposing ongoing movement demanding autonomous district council, which according to the AAPSU, might divide the state into many sectors, the union said that instead of autonomous demand, the state government should move the Centre to bring the whole of this tribal state under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the statement added.

UNI