AJYCP members burning the effigy of LSHEP executive director on Wednesday. Image: Northeast Now

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) on Tuesday announced the resumption of construction of the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project (LSHEP).

The construction of the dam was stalled for 8 years.

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

The announcement was severely opposed by the anti-LSHEP bodies and several bodies on Wednesday staged protest against it, warning the NHPC to not go ahead with the construction.

The Lakhimpur district unit of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) protested against the resumption of work at the protest site at Gerukamukh by burning effigy of LSHEP executive director on Wednesday.

AJYCP, led by its assistant general secretary Saurabh Das, also sat on a demonstration before the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in North Lakhimpur.

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

The protesters warned NHPC not to start construction of the dam until the safety and security of the downstream areas of Subansiri were ensured.

“We are ready to give lives for the cause of halting the dam work and also even ready to take lives for the same,” the AJYCP leaders said.

Approximately 55 per cent construction works of LSHEP have been completed.

The project was presently carrying out emergent protection works as required for the safety of the partially-constructed dam blocks as well as the powerhouse and water conductor structures including COW (Cut off Wall) work.