Mahanta reacts on Rahul?s big dams comment

Guwahati : Former Assam Chief Minister and leader of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Prafulla Kumar Mahanta on Saturday reacted on AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi?s comment on big dams issue.

During a day-long visit in Assam on September 23, Gandhi comments as, ?The construction of big dams in the North East is not ?anti-people? and the concern of the common man is being given top priority.?

Reacting to Gandhi’s comment, Mahanta said, ?Experts from IIT-Guwahati, Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University have already clearly said in their report that constructing dams in a vulnerable seismic zone like the foothills of Himalayas can be dangerous to the existence of the people living in that area. AGP, All Assam Students Union (AASU) and various organization have been protesting against the construction of big dams.?

?People of few districts in Assam faced flash floods every year from Ronganodi and Kopili projects and from this experience, the people of Assam are protesting against the construction of big dams,? Mahanta added.

?Rahul’s comment is based on his theoretical experience. We need power generation, but not at the cost of people’s lives,? the AGP leader said.