Wokha, August 12 (MExN): The Land Owners’ Union, Doyang Hydro-Electric Project (DHEP), NEEPCO Ltd. Doyang, Wokha has condemned the “random arrest” of PB Das, the Head of Plant, DHEP, NEEPCO by Assam Police led by Partha Saikia, DSP Golaghat, from the project site on August 4.
This was stated in a press release issued by Yanchumrhumo W Jami, Media Cell, Land Owners’ Union, DHEP. The Union alleged that the Assam Police “intruded into the land of Nagaland” to arrest Das “without arrest warrant and proper communication with the counterpart district since it is an inter-state issue.”
“Any citizen of India cannot be arrested unless procedurally directed by the court of law or proper communication has been done between the states for such cases,” maintained the Union.
According to them, the Head of Plant, DHEP was picked up by Assam Police on August 4 from project area but were stopped at Bhandari Check Gate under Wokha District by the Nagaland Police. The Assam police “failed to produce any relevant documents authorizing them to take Das into their custody,” stated the Union.
It, thus, concluded that the Assam Police had “attempted kidnap but was foiled by the Nagaland Police as per the law of the land.”
On behalf of the 17 Land affected villages of DHEP, the Union appreciated and acknowledged the Government of Nagaland’s Home Department, Wokha District Administration, all rank and file of SP, Wokha, ADC Bhandari, SDPO Bhandari and his team for “active intervention and prompt action against the intruders.”
Release of water
The Land Owners’ Union, Doyang Hydro-Electric Project (DHEP), NEEPCO Ltd. Doyang condemned the statement of Mrinal Saikia MLA of Khumtai Assembly Constituency in Assam who alleged that the DHEP management had “released water from Doyang Dam without notifying either Golaghat administration or Assam Government on July 27.”
The Union termed this statement “totally baseless, unexpected and ridiculous.” According to the Union, the DHEP, NEEPCO Ltd. had informed the Golaghat District Disaster Management Authority and it was in touch with the administration since July 21 about the water level of Doyang Dam.
The Union maintained that the management had passed a circular on July 26 informing the Golaghat District Management Authority for the release of water.
“The unprecedented increase in water level abruptly is due to the incessant rainfall in the upper catchment area, the inflow of Doyang River is much higher than the outflow of the downstream and it is clearly evident that it is beyond the control of the Head of Plant, DHEP, NEEPCO Ltd, Doyang. The nature itself creates havoc all over the country,” the Union stressed.
