The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), a peasant rights organisation, staged a demonstration in Guwahati on Tuesday against the construction of the 2,000MW Lower Subansiri hydroelectric power project at Gerukamukh, located along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.

KMSS activists protested in front of Hotel Vivant by Taj, where a meeting was going on between officials of the state government and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd (NHPC) which is constructing the dam.

“We have come here to oppose the construction of the dam, which will destroy the future of Assam. We will not let it happen at any cost,” KMSS adviser Akhil Gogoi, who was stopped by police from entering the hotel premises, said.

With scores of policemen posted in front of the hotel on GS Road to control protesters, the entire stretch was blocked for sometime around 9am.

Several organisations, including the KMSS and the All Assam Students’ Union, have long been opposing the construction of the dam, citing environment issues. They fear that it will bring destruction to Upper Assam.

Raj Kumar Singh, Union minister of state (independent charge) for power and new and renewable energy, and representatives of all northeastern states were present in the meeting.

Akhil said, “We want to submit a memorandum to the Union minister. This is a ploy to deceive the people of Assam. They never discussed the matter with the people of Assam and the region. They must stop the construction of the dam.”

He termed the memorandum of understanding signed between the state government and the NHPC on August 23 “illegal” and said that it would endanger the people of Assam.