Dam affected downstream people hold protest meet
Source: Hueiyen News Service / K Kopham Kanshouwa
Imphal, August 16 2015:
Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected People organized a protest meeting at Tumukhong Village, Imphal East District on Sunday.
The meeting demanded immediate rehabilitation and resettlement of Mapithel Dam affected people in the downstream areas.
The protest meet was organized in the context of impending threats of Mapithel Dam outburst due to hasty efforts of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD), Government of Manipur to fill the Mapithel Dam reservoirs.
The protest meet was attended by downstream affected villagers of Nungbrang; Laikhong; Itham; Moirangpurel; Tumukhong; Keithelmanbi and Moirangpurel villages.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Human Rights Initiative (HRI) and the Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur.
CRAM Secretary Jiten Yumnam during his speech stated that how the Government has not made any downstream impact assessment so far.
Ensuring the free and unhindered flow of Thoubal River is highly crucial to promote communities rights over their land and water and to ensure their rightful survival.
Mapithel dam today represents a clear instance of development injustice where the project proponents are never punished for their multiple violations, said Jiten Yumnam.
HRI Director Joykumar Wahengbam stressed the need to fully reflect on the multiple violations of social, environmental, economic and cultural rights by Mapithel Dam.
All downstream affected communities should be properly rehabilitated and resettled.
Later, the participants agreed to resolve against Mapithel Dam, to conduct downstream impact assessment and to rehabilitate and resettle all affected downstream communities as per their wishes and aspiration.
The participants also agreed to urge upon authorities to let the Thoubal River flow free and to review Mapithel dam.