The anti dam protest in Assam turns violent

Several persons sustained injury when security forces sprang upon then with lathis and teargas shells for the second day in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts.

Police flogged the protesters when they refused to clear the National Highway 52 linking Arunachal Pradesh. Some of them pelted stones at the security forces.

Lakhimpur deputy commissioner Anwaruddin Choudhury talked to KMSS general secretary Akhil Gogoi to resolve the crisis. But of no avail. They said that would to sit on peaceful protest only if the security forces are restrained.

Gogoi gave three conditions -- the government hold talks with the protesters, the arrested protesters be released and those injured in the lathicharge be given medical care and the protesters be allowed to re-establish their camps damaged on Monday.

The deputy commissioner agreed to the first two conditions but declined to accept the last demand. Continuing their blockade since December 16, thousands of protesters demonstrating against construction of the 2000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydro-electric Project at Lakhimpur re-assembled here this morning to continue with their indefinite road blockade on the highway.

KMSS, Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad, Takam Mising Poring Kebang, All Tai Ahom Students Union and All Deori Students Union are continuing with their blockade against transportation of construction materials to the hydroelectric project site.