Protesters
to let in maintenance crew
They
still refuse to yield seized ground
Bangkok
Post, June 20, 2000
Pak
Moon dam protesters have
agreed to allow staff of the electricity generating authority to inspect
and maintain dam machinery.
However,
the protesters yesterday refused to leave the dam's compound they have
seized for over a month.
They
have been camping in the carpark, sealing off entrance to the power
generation plant. Egat, the dam operator, has repeatedly warned the lack
of maintenance would cause all its generators and spillways to
malfunction.
Governor
Rungrit Makarapong was informed of the decision yesterday.
The
protesting villagers said they would seek to limit the number of engineers
to be allowed in, types of equipment and working time.
Their
conditions would be forwarded to provincial authorities as soon as
possible, their leaders said.
The
protesters also issued a statement asking the power authority to accept a
proposal that all the dam's spillways be opened for four months to allow
fish to spawn upstream.
They
said accepting the proposal would allow further talks and co-operation
between Egat and the villagers in order to end their dispute.
Yesterday,
the villagers also launched 10 fishing boats as part of their protest.
Two
flood gates were ordered open to alleviate flooding here yesterday
following heavy rain in the past few days.
The
Meteorological Department yesterday warned of possible flash floods in Roi
Et, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin and Yasothorn over the
next seven days.
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