Residents affected by the Solar Project address the media at
Lang-ik LP School playground in Hidipi, Karbi Anglong, on Wednesday. (EM
Images)
- DIPHU — In a show
of collective support, residents from 23 villages affected by the proposed
solar project in Borjan MAC constituency voiced their approval during a press
conference held at the Lang-ik LP School playground in Hidipi on Wednesday.
- Speaking to the media, Moon Moon Katharpi, a local resident,
stated, “We convened this meeting because we’ve noticed a troubling trend of individuals
from outside our area—who have no direct connection to our land or the solar
project—opposing its development. Representatives from the Karbi Anglong
Autonomous Council, APDCL, and even international agencies have been visiting
our villages for over a year. Every two to three months, they have conducted
surveys and engaged with us. All 23 villages involved have raised no objections
to the project.”
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- Katharpi underscored that the villagers view the project as
a major opportunity for regional development. “Project representatives have
promised meaningful support to the local community, including livelihood
assistance through weaving, animal rearing, pig farming, and the development of
schools, roads, water systems, and electricity.
- “They have agreed to work alongside us, and most of the land
involved—around 80%—is wasteland, much of which has been illegally occupied by
encroachers,” she said.
- “This project represents a light of hope for us. It is our
chance to finally see progress for our people. That is why we strongly oppose
the interference of outsiders like Rajen Timung from the Indigenous People’s
Party (IPP) and Bikramsing Hanse from the All Party Hill Leaders Conference
(APHLC). They are not from our village and do not speak for us. Their claim
that 20,000 people live in this area is completely false and politically
motivated,” she added.
