Mass Protest Over Proposed Kulsi Dam, Memo Submitted to Both CMs

Over 3,000 people staged a massive protest in South Kamrup’s Chhaygaon on Wednesday against the proposed 55-megawatt hydropower project on the Kulsi River, a joint initiative reportedly being considered by the governments of Assam and Meghalaya. Shouting slogans like “Go back Assam Government,” “Go back Meghalaya Government,” and “CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, beware,” the protestors expressed strong opposition to the proposed dam, warning it would have devastating ecological and social consequences for the region.

The protest began with a rally from the Chhaygaon cattle market, where thousands of people gathered and marched approximately 1.5 kilometers to reach the office of the Chaygaon Circle Officer. 

The protest was led by a coalition of 19 organisations, including the Kamrup District Rabha Students’ Union, the All Assam Garo National Council, the Kamrup District Rabha Women’s Council, the Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union, the Garo Christian Forum, the All Assam Tribal Union (Bonggaon), and several regional and community-based bodies representing Rabha, Garo, Khasi, Koch-Rajbongshi, Gorkha, Bengali, and tribal communities.

Speakers at the rally, including Laskar Rabha (President, Chhaygaon Rabha Students’ Union), Pradeep Rabha (Central Vice President, ARSU), Ashok Nongbak (General Secretary, Kamrup ARSU), Bichitra Rabha (Vice President, All Rabha Women’s Council), and Sunil Marak (Garo National Council), voiced their deep concerns over the environmental implications of constructing a 62-meter high dam on the Kulsi River.

One of the protesters said, “If this dam is built, it will wipe out our farmlands across a 35-kilometre stretch, drive the endangered river dolphin to extinction, and destroy the rich biodiversity of the Kulsi. It’s not just a project, it’s a direct threat to our lives, our land, and the rights of our indigenous communities.”

Another protester said that instead of helping us with our land issues, the Assam Chief Minister is trying to take our land away. He has given long speeches about our land and development, but now a dam is being built that will directly affect our livelihoods. This project will create serious problems for the entire region. We have always listened to what he has said in the past, but instead of supporting us, he has taken a step that will harm our way of life.

They further alleged that the project, which came up for discussion during a recent bilateral meeting between Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma at the Koinadhara Guest House in Guwahati, was being pushed without proper consultation with the local people.

“We are not going to back down,” said one of the protesters. “If the Assam and Meghalaya governments ignore our voices and go ahead with this dam, we will launch even stronger and larger protests in the coming days. This is just the beginning.” The protesters also raised slogans demanding that the project be scrapped entirely. They urged both governments not to undertake any projects that could harm the livelihoods of local people.

Following the rally, the protestors marched to the office of the Circle Officer, where they submitted a memorandum addressed to both chief ministers through Block Development Officer Bidyut Kalita. The memorandum demanded immediate withdrawal of any plans to build the proposed dam and urged the governments to protect the rights and livelihoods of the indigenous communities living along the Kulsi River.

Also Read: Proposed Kulsi Dam Sparks Mass Revolt Across Assam-Meghalaya Border