Assam dam protest triggers food crisis in Arunachal districts

Food and fuel crisis loom large in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh following blockade of NH-52 by anti-dam activists in Assam against execution of Lower Subansiri hydro electric project.

Official sources Thursday said supply of fuel and essential commodities were affected in East, West, and Upper Siang districts due to the blockade by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad and others.

The organizations have been blocking movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities and fuel tankers at Lakhimpur which had caused acute fuel and food crisis in the Siang belt as NH-52 is considered as lifeline for the people of the three Siang districts, the sources said.

The protesters were opposing construction of a dam on Ranganadi river by National Hydel Power Corporation apprehending that it would harm people staying downstream and destroy the state's resources.

East Siang Deputy Commissioner Talem Tapok has urged his Lakhimpur counterpart for releasing the stranded vehicles which are on their way to Arunachal.

The Lakhimpur DC has assured us to allow the vehicles after a negotiation with the protesters," Tapok said.

The Siang districts have been hit by shortage of fuel for the second time this year.

Earlier the three districts had faced acute shortage of essential commodities and petroleum products for a fortnight in August after floods in Dhemaji district of Assam disrupted transport on NH-52.