Correspondent
DILLAI, May 29: Residents of Men Tisso village and Men Tisso Area Land Protection Committee have expressed their strong opposition over allotment of huge chunk of land by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council for solar project. The opposition to the project was expressed during a press conference convened by Men Tisso Area Land Protection Committee.
The press conference was held at the community hall in Hidipi falling under the Borjan MAC Constituency. The committee president Bikrom Bey while addressing the media said that the people of several villages who have inhabited the area since time immemorial are dependent on forest where they have grown bamboos and wild edible leaves are found for their food and small earnings. “We called upon the KAAC CEM to explain as to why the mega solar project was brought here and not elsewhere?,” Bey said
Further during the press conference, SGB Ajoy Tisso representing seven villages comprising of Bonglong Terang, Men Tisso, Sam Teron, Sar Rongpi , Miji Kro, Kania Hanse and Langroiso informed that as per the resolution taken in the village meeting, the people of Men Tisso area will not allow the project to be executed under their jurisdiction.
Village headmen also claimed that the solar project was likely to acquire 1,800 bighas under Bonglong Terang village, 900 bighas of land under Sam Teron village, 200 bighas of land under Miji Kro village, 1,500 bighas of land under Kania Hanse village, 10,000 bighas of land under Men Tisso village, 500 bighas of land under Sar Rongpi village, and 200 bighas of land under Langroiso village.
The committee and residents of several villages have called upon the KAAC to accord highest priority to the issue reminding that it is directly connected with the way of life, livelihood and future. The committee also warned of rigorous movement if any attempt contrary to their stand on the issue is made by any authority.