NHPC officials claimed that today’s discussion was an informal one. How can they say that a burning issue like the Lower Subansiri project can be informally discussed? The outcomes of talks on this issue should always be made public. The NHPC must change its attitude. Otherwise, we’ll intensify our current anti-mega dam agitation all over the State — Akhil Gogoi GUWAHATI: The much-hyped talks scheduled to be held on Monday between the National Hydro-Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) and eight organizations led by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) on the Lower Subansiri Hydro-electric Project had been abruptly cancelled, triggering a wave of reactions from the anti-dam votaries. The anti-dam groups have alleged that it is a ploy of NHPC authorities to show disrespect to the popular sentiments of the people of the State who have all along been opposing the construction of the 2000-MW Lower Subansiri project. The meeting, which was scheduled to be held at the city around 9:30 am, was cancelled by NHPC authorities for some unknown reasons. When reporters stationed at the venue of the meeting asked the NHPC authorities about the reason behind the cancellation of the meeting, they failed to give any reasons and said that Monday’s meeting was an informal one. However, NHPC DGM Deb Kumar Ghosh, who led a team of NHPC officials to the hotel where the members of the eight anti-dam groups were lodged, sought apology from them in particular and the people of the State in general. Ghosh clarified that such situation would not take place in the future and invited the agitating groups for a formal discussion on the issue at Gerukamukh, the site of the controversial project, in Dhemaji district. The date of the proposed meeting is yet to be finalized. Besides the KMSS, the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU), All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU), Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), Sonowal Kachari Jatiya Parishad (SKJP), All Deuri Students’ Union (ADSU) and the All Chutia Jati Chatra Sangstha (ACJCS) were scheduled to take part at Monday’s meeting. KMSS general secretary and RTI activist Akhil Gogoi told journalists that the move of the NHPC was an insult to the people of Assam. “NHPC officials claimed that today’s discussion was an informal one. How can they say that a burning issue like the Lower Subansiri project can be informally discussed? The outcomes of talks on this issue should always be made public. The NHPC must change its attitude. Otherwise, we’ll intensify our current anti-mega dam agitation all over the State,” said Gogoi. The KMSS is spearheading the movement against the construction of the Lower Subansiri dam, fearing threat to the lives of people living in downstream areas.