Students body seeks halt to mega dams and national disaster status for Assam floods
1
2
3
4
5
6
Dibrugarh: Members of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) on Monday took part in a three-hour sit-in demonstration in several upper Assam districts, including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Majuli, demanding an immediate halt to mega dam projects and the declaration of Assam's flood and erosion crisis as a "national disaster.
"
The protests, organised simultaneously across district headquarters, saw strong participation from students and youth activists. The demonstrators raised slogans against the construction of large hydroelectric projects, particularly targeting the 2000-MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP), which they claim will exacerbate flooding and environmental damage in downstream areas.
In Tinsukia, the demonstration was led by AJYCP central committee assistant general secretary Surajit Moran, district president Prabin Tamuli, and general secretary Kalyanjyoti Moran.
Addressing the gathering, Surajit Moran said, "The govt is ignoring the warnings of experts and pushing ahead with dangerous dam projects. The Subansiri dam, which is now nearing completion, poses a severe threat to lakhs of people living downstream. Until the expert committee's safety recommendations are fully implemented and public concerns are addressed, construction must stop."
The SLHEP, located on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, has been a source of controversy since its inception.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting
Luxeartisanship
Buy Now
Undo
Local communities and environmental groups have raised concerns about potential downstream flooding, seismic risks, and ecological damage to the Brahmaputra river system. Construction on the project has faced multiple delays due to public opposition and legal challenges.
Prabin Tamuli, AJYCP Tinsukia president, said, "Assam faces annual flooding that displaces thousands and causes immense devastation.
This is not just a state problem — it requires national attention and resources. The govt must recognise flood and erosion as a national disaster and allocate appropriate funds for long-term solutions."
Similar demonstrations were reported in Dibrugarh, Dhemaji and Lakhimpur, where protesters highlighted how dam-induced floods have wiped out farmlands and homes. In Majuli, the world's largest river island, activists warned that unchecked dam construction could accelerate the island's erosion.
At the end of the protest, AJYCP Tinsukia unit submitted a memorandum to Tinsukia DC Swapneel Paul, addressed to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, urging the state govt to take up the issue with the Centre.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Now we are six: G7 leaders try to salvage their summit after Trump's early exit
AP image Six of the Group of Seven leaders are trying on the final day of their Tuesday to show the wealthy nations' club still has the clout to shape world events despite the early departure of President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Mark Carney and his counterparts from the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Japan will be joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Nato chief Mark Rutte to discuss Russia's relentless war on its neighbour. World leaders had gathered in Canada with the specific goal of helping to defuse a series of pressure points, only to be disrupted by a showdown over Iran's nuclear program that could escalate in dangerous and uncontrollable ways. Israel launched an aerial bombardment campaign against Iran on Friday, and Iran has hit back with missiles and drones. Trump left the summit in the Canadian Rocky Mountain resort of Kananaskis a day early late Monday, saying: "I have to be back, very important." It came as conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies and the US leader declared that Tehran should be evacuated "immediately" - while also expressing optimism about a deal to stop the violence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 청담동 원장님이 말하는 "얼굴 기미" 해결하는 법 두아이연구원 Undo Before leaving, Trump joined the other leaders in issuing a statement saying Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon" and calling for a "de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza." Getting unanimity - even on a short and broadly worded statement - was a modest measure of success for the group. At the summit, Trump warned that Tehran needs to curb its nuclear program before it's "too late." He said Iranian leaders would "like to talk" but they had already had 60 days to reach an agreement on their nuclear ambitions and failed to do so before the Israeli aerial assault began. "They have to make a deal," he said. Asked what it would take for the US to get involved in the conflict militarily, Trump said Monday morning, "I don't want to talk about that." But by Monday afternoon, Trump warned ominously on social media, "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Shortly after that, Trump decided to leave the summit and skip a series of Tuesday meetings that would address the war in Ukraine and trade issues. The sudden departure only heightened the drama of a world that seems on verge of several firestorms. Trump already has imposed severe tariffs on multiple nations that risk a global economic slowdown. There has been little progress on settling the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Trump's stance on Ukraine puts him fundamentally at odds with the other G7 leaders, who back Ukraine and are clear that Russia is the aggressor in the war. The US president on Monday suggested there would have been no war if G7 members hadn't expelled Putin from the organisation in 2014 for annexing Crimea. Trump on Monday demurred when asked if he supported Russia, saying "I only care about saving lives." With talks on ending the war at an impasse, Starmer said Britain and other G7 members were slapping new tariffs on Russia in a bid to get it to the ceasefire negotiating table. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to attend the summit Tuesday at Carney's invitation, along with other leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nato chief Mark Rutte. Trump declined to join in the sanctions on Russia, saying he would wait until Europe did so first. "When I sanction a country that costs the US a lot of money, a tremendous amount of money," he said. Trump had been scheduled before his departure to meet with Zelenskyy and with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. On the Middle East, Merz told reporters that Germany was planning to draw up a final communique proposal on the Israel-Iran conflict that will stress that "Iran must under no circumstances be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons-capable material." Trump also seemed to put a greater priority on addressing his grievances with other nations' trade policies than on collaboration with G7 allies. The US president has imposed 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium as well as 25% tariffs on autos. Trump is also charging a 10% tax on imports from most countries, though he could raise rates on July 9, after the 90-day negotiating period set by him would expire. He announced with Starmer that they had signed a trade framework Monday that was previously announced in May, with Trump saying that British trade was "very well protected' because "I like them, that's why. That's their ultimate protection."
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Only allows you to text in caps': Donald Trump launches mobile phones; social media reacts
(Source: X) Donald Trump has entered the mobile phone market with a new product called the T1 Phone, drawing attention and varied reactions on social media. The US president's company announced on Monday the launch of Trump Mobile, a new mobile phone business set to offer a gold-coloured handset and wireless service by August. The phone is priced at $499 and will come with a $47.45 monthly plan called "The 47 Plan", a nod to Trump's terms as the 45th and 47th president. But while the company hopes to cash in on patriotism and brand loyalty, critics are piling on. Social media users on platform X quickly turned the announcement into a meme fest. 'My friend just bought a Trump Mobile phone. It only allows you to text in CAPS, the payment has to be made out to cash, the spell check misspells every word, and Siri is Laura Loomer,' joked one user. Another added, 'Google Maps only sends you to hell, and if you type anything truthful the phone deletes your data and tasers you.' Some mocked the branding itself: 'Does anyone else see the sheer irony embedded in the words 'Trump smart phone'?' The phone will reportedly be manufactured by another company, not Trump Mobile itself, and the service will be powered by existing networks, likely Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, although specific partnerships have not been confirmed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The phone includes unlimited calls, texts and data, along with roadside assistance and telehealth services. This isn't Trump's first attempt at selling consumer products. His most recent financial disclosure shows millions in earnings from selling Trump-branded watches, books, sneakers and fragrances. In the past year, he made $3 million from 'Save America' books, $2.8 million from watches, and $2.5 million from other merchandise. Critics have also pointed to ethical concerns. Trump has previously used the Federal Communications Commission, which regulates telecom services, to target media outlets he opposes. Some fear this business could now distort public policy in his favour. Trump's last mobile venture involved promoting ACN, a multi-level marketing firm that was later sued for fraud. Other branding efforts, such as hotel chains American Idea and Scion, also flopped. Despite this, the Trump brand is expanding aggressively in his second term, with recent investments in crypto, real estate in Vietnam and the Middle East, and now telecom.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Senate expected to pass crypto bill without addressing Trump's investments
The Senate is expected to approve legislation Tuesday that would regulate a form of cryptocurrency known as stablecoins, the first of what is expected to be a wave of crypto legislation from Congress that the industry hopes will bolster its legitimacy and reassure consumers. The fast-moving legislation, which will be sent to the House for potential revisions, comes on the heels of a 2024 campaign cycle where the crypto industry ranked among the top political spenders in the country, underscoring its growing influence in Washington and beyond. Eighteen Democratic senators have shown support for the legislation as it has advanced, siding with the Republican majority in the 53-47 Senate. If passed, it would become the second major bipartisan bill to advance through the Senate this year, following the Laken Riley Act on immigration enforcement in January. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo Still, most Democrats oppose the bill. They have raised concerns that the measure does little to address President Donald Trump 's personal financial interests in the crypto space. "We weren't able to include certainly everything we would have wanted, but it was a good bipartisan effort," said Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., on Monday. She added, "This is an unregulated area that will now be regulated." Live Events Known as the GENIUS Act , the bill would establish guardrails and consumer protections for stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency typically pegged to the U.S. dollar. The acronym stands for "Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins." Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories It's expected to pass Tuesday, since it only requires a simple majority vote - and it already cleared its biggest procedural hurdle last week in a 68-30 vote. But the bill has faced more resistance than initially expected. There is a provision in the bill that bans members of Congress and their families from profiting off stablecoins. But that prohibition does not extend to the president and his family, even as Trump builds a crypto empire from the White House. Trump hosted a private dinner last month at his golf club with top investors in a Trump-branded meme coin. His family holds a large stake in World Liberty Financial, a crypto project that provides yet another avenue where investors are buying in and enriching the president's relatives. World Liberty has launched its own stablecoin, USD1. The administration is broadly supportive of crypto's growth and its integration into the economy. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week said the legislation could help push the U.S. stablecoin market beyond $2 trillion by the end of 2028. Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase - the nation's largest crypto exchange and a major advocate for the bill - has met with Trump and praised his early moves on crypto. This past weekend, Coinbase was among the more prominent brands that sponsored a parade in Washington commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary - an event that coincided with Trump's 79th birthday. But the crypto industry emphasizes that they view the legislative effort as bipartisan, pointing to champions on each side of the aisle. "The GENIUS Act will be the most significant digital assets legislation ever to pass the U.S. Senate," Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott, R-S.C., said ahead of a key vote last week. "It's the product of months of bipartisan work." The bill did hit one rough patch in early May, when a bloc of Senate Democrats who had previously supported the bill reversed course and voted to block it from advancing. That prompted new negotiations involving Senate Republicans, Democrats and the White House, which ultimately produced the compromise version expected to win passage Tuesday. "There were many, many changes that were made. And ultimately, it's a much better deal because we were all at the table," Alsobrooks said. Still, the bill leaves unresolved concerns over presidential conflicts of interest - an issue that remains a source of tension within the Democratic caucus. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has been among the most outspoken as the ranking member on the Senate Banking Committee, warning that the bill creates a "super highway" for Trump corruption. She has also warned that the bill would allow major technology companies, such as Amazon and Meta, to launch their own stablecoins. If the stablecoin legislation passes the Senate on Tuesday, it still faces several hurdles before reaching the president's desk. It must clear the narrowly held Republican majority in the House, where lawmakers may try to attach a broader market structure bill - sweeping legislation that could make passage through the Senate more difficult. Trump has said he wants stablecoin legislation on his desk before Congress breaks for its August recess, now just under 50 days away.
