Doomdooma: The Margherita regional committee of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva-Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) staged a protest on the national highway at Lidu in Upper Assam‘s Tinsukia district this week, demanding the revival of closed coalfields under Coal India’s North Eastern Coalfields (NECF), employment opportunities for unemployed local youths and the construction of a road in Bengali Gaon.
“The North Eastern Coalfields, Margherita, has kept many coalfields closed for a long time. As a result, many unemployed young men and women have been deprived of employment opportunities in the industry, while the local unemployment problem is steadily increasing,” the AJYCP stated.
The protesters said the prolonged closure of the coalfields had affected employment prospects in the area, particularly for local youths who depend on the industry for livelihood opportunities.
The organisation demanded that NECF be made more productive and operational through scientific measures while ensuring employment opportunities for unemployed youths.
The AJYCP also raised concerns over the poor condition of the road in Bengali Gaon under Lidu Shamukjan Gaon Panchayat, alleging that the muddy and dilapidated stretch has caused immense hardship to villagers and school students.
“Is this the ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ of the Modi government? Villagers are unable to reach hospitals on time and are losing their lives. How long will the people of Lidu Bengali Gaon have to live like this?” the AJYCP stated.
The organisation further demanded the immediate construction of the road and said the government must address the problems faced by the villagers without delay.
A memorandum was later submitted to the district authorities.