Will punish Maoist behind anti-dam agitation: Assam govt

The Assam government on Thursday warned of 'strongest' action against Maoists elements that have infiltrated the anti-dam agitation raging in the state.

Government spokesman and State Power minister Pradyut Bardoloi asserted that the government had definite intelligence inputs about Maoists involvement in anti-dam agitation.

"A section of people subscribing to Maoist philosophy have infiltrated into the ongoing anti-dam agitation and they are out to create a situation of anarchy and lawlessness by disrupting supplies and adding to the woes of the people. The government cannot remain a silent spectator," Bardoloi said.

Bardoloi's statement echoed what Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had said on Wednesday about involvement of Maoists and the anti-talk faction of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom headed by Paresh Barua in the anti-dam movement in the state.

"Maoists, anti-talk faction of ULFA and other extremist groups are involved in the protest. Maoists are helping the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, which is spearheading the stir," Gogoi had said.

Bordoloi said the Assam government would do everything needed to protect the interests of the Assam districts located downstream of the 2000-MW Lower Subansiri hydel project that was being constructed by the National Hydroelectric Project Corporation.

"The Assam government is willing to talk to the anti-dam agitators, but not with those leaders who don't know how to talk about elected representative of the people in public. We can talk only to decent people, not to those who hurl abuses on the CM and other ministers in the name of leading an agitation," Bordoloi said criticising anti-dam movement leader Akhil Gogoi, the secretary of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, for using abusive language against Gogoi.

Bordoloi flayed at Akhil for calling Gogoi an agent of the dam lobby. "There is nothing called 'dam lobby' as alleged by him. The Lower Subansiri project is being implemented by the NHPC, which is one of the largest PSUs in the country," he said.