Guwahati: Hundreds of people took to the streets in Assam’s Sonapur on Monday to protest against a proposed project to install high-voltage electricity towers across 12 villages in the Nartap area.
The protest was organised by the Amri Karbi Students’ Association (AKSA) with the support of five other tribal organisations. Carrying banners and placards, protesters marched from Digaru Baligate to the office of the Dimoria Sub-Divisional Commissioner, raising slogans against the proposed installation.
The protesters claimed that the project could affect residential areas and agricultural land in the tribal-dominated region. They alleged that tribal land has repeatedly been acquired for various development projects and expressed concern that the proposed power infrastructure could further affect the homes, farmland and livelihoods of indigenous communities.
The protesters demanded that the government withdraw what they termed “anti-tribal” decisions and ensure that development projects do not come at the cost of tribal residential and agricultural land.
The protest march ended at the Dimoria Sub-Divisional Commissioner’s office, where representatives of the participating organisations submitted a memorandum to the government through the sub-divisional administration.
The organisations reiterated their demand for protection of tribal land and agricultural fields and opposed any project that could adversely affect local settlements and livelihoods.
They also warned of intensifying the agitation in the coming days if the government fails to address their demands.