NEFIS condemns the brutal killing and repression of people in Tawang; submits memorandum to CM

New Delhi, May 6: Activists of North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) condemning the police repression in Arunachal Pradesh, submitted a memorandum to the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, through the Resident Commissioner at Arunachal Bhawan in New Delhi yesterday.
On May 2, two people, namely Monk Nyima Wangdue and Tshering Tenpa, were brutally killed and many more injured, in the Police Repression which resulted due to their protest against the arrest of Lama Lobsang Gyatso in Tawang. Lama Lobsang Gyatso has been one of the most vocal opponents of hydropower projects in the Tawang region and secretary of Save Mon Region Federation (SMRF), in the Mon-Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh.
The activists of NEFIS were denied permission to meet the Chief Minister, to get their demands heard regarding this issue.
The killings are a result of machinations by pro hydro-power lobby to construct dams in an ecologically sensitive region without any regard either for the region or the people protesting against it.
A NEFIS statement said that the police firing and brutal repression is due to state administration’s connivance with such corporate lobbies.
“ In this context, it should be especially noted that even as Tawang continues to reel under the shock of police firing, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Kalikho Pul at ASSOCHAM forum in New Delhi in a complete insensitive statement has advocated for fast-tracking environmental clearances for hydropower projects and suggested single window clearance to the hydro project developers. This only shows complete contempt for the sufferings of the people and environmental destruction, while simultaneously demonstrating a concern for corporate profiteering”, the statement added.  The forum also slammed the State government for remaining apathetic to the whole situation.