NCP-backed MPA govt in dilemma over power projects

Shillong, Aug 27 (UNI) The Nationalist Congress Party-backed Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) was caught in a dilemma with 15 NGOs of Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district announcing an agitation for scraping of two Kynshi Hydel Power Projects (State I and Stage II) to be developed by JP Group and Athena.

The series of protests would start with office picketing tomorrow and then followed by night road blockade from 1900 hours to 0500 hours of August 29 and 30 in the entire district of West Khasi Hills.

He stated that the NGOs under the banner of Synjuk Seng Bhalang West Khasi Hills (SSBWKH) had also called a road blockade on September 1 and 2 and a bandh in the district on September 4 and 5.

''The government has forced us to agitate on this issue due to the failure of Chief Minister Donkupar Roy to cancel the Cabinet decision abrogating the Kynshi power project,'' said Mostlander Marngar, leader of the 15 NGOs.

On July 24, the Meghalaya Cabinet abrogated the Memorandum of Agreements with Jaypee Group and Athena Project Private Limited following pressure from two influential NGOs - the Khasi Student's Union and the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People's - accusing the previous government of not following the international competitive bidding.

The 15 NGOs, however, alleged, that the two NGOs were not in favour of bringing development in West Khasi Hills district.

''Any project that is meant for development of West Khasi Hills is protested by these Shillong-based NGOs be it Uranium or this power project,'' Mr Marngar said.

Earlier, the state government had turned down the demand of SSBWKH for retaining the MoAs on the Kynshi power projects.

Meanwhile, officials in the state Home department had instructed the district administration to take stern action against the leaders of SSBWKH if there was any breakdown of law and order, even as most of the NGOs leaders had reportedly gone underground to evade police arrest.

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