By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Opposition to the proposed UltraTech cement plant at Choudhurikhat under the Chhaygaon Revenue Circle has intensified further, with the Land Protection Committee reiterating its firm opposition to the project during a press conference.
Leaders of the committee said local residents would not allow a cement industry to be established at Govardhan Choudhurikhat, alleging that the project threatens fertile agricultural land, the environment and the livelihoods of indigenous communities in the region.
The press conference, organised by the Choudhurikhat, Kawaimari, South Bankakata, Belguri and Dhowargaon Lat Land Protection Committee at the office of Govardhan Anchalik Yuvak Sanghab near Chhaygaon, drew participation from local residents and committee members.
Protests against the proposed cement plant have continued for nearly two years under the leadership of the Land Protection Committee.
The agitation gained fresh momentum after preliminary activities linked to the proposed project reportedly began on May 22. The development also came despite earlier assurances by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ahead of the Assembly elections that the cement plant would not be set up at Choudhurikhat, the committee alleged.
The committee also referred to an incident on May 22 when local residents allegedly stopped vehicles associated with the proposed project from entering agricultural land during a survey exercise.
Addressing the press conference, former Land Protection Committee president Ghanshyam Dakua, along with Bimal Saloi and other local residents, said the areas under the committee — including Choudhurikhat, Kawaimari, South Bankakata, Belguri, Govardhan Kalabakara and Dhowargaon — are densely populated and predominantly inhabited by indigenous communities.
The speakers described the region as a fertile agricultural belt nourished by the Nakakati river and warned that the proposed cement factory could lead to severe environmental pollution and adversely affect public health and livelihoods in neighbouring villages.
The committee alleged that attempts were being made to push the project through with the involvement of land dealers and brokers and warned that such developments could disturb peace in the area.
The protesters further asserted that land remained the foremost priority for farming communities and vowed to continue opposing the project.
Over the past two years, several organisations, including the Kamrup District Rabha Students’ Union, Chhaygaon Anchalik Students’ Union, Chhaygaon Anchalik Rabha Students’ Union, Bamunigaon Anchalik Rabha Students’ Union, Govardhan Anchalik Durga Puja Committee, Govardhan Anchalik Yuvak Sangha, Chhaygaon Anchalik Citizens’ Forum and Chhaygaon Science Society, have extended support to the movement through protest programmes.
The committee also criticised the conduct of Chhaygaon Revenue Circle Officer Nithee Kalita during the May 22 incident and said the matter would be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister.
When contacted, Kalita rejected the allegations and stated that there was no involvement of brokers in the Circle Office, describing the claims as baseless.