Media consultation urges Manipur Govt to desist Mapithel dam commissioning
17 April 2017
media consultation on 'Mapithel dam and its Commissioning Plan' at Manipur Press Club on 17 April 2017
MAPITHEL DAM AFFECTED VILLAGES ORGANIZATION
JAC-MAPITHEL DAM DOWNSTREAM AFFECTED PEOPLES
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY, MANIPUR
The Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization (MDAVO) the
JAC-Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected Peoples (MDDAP) and the Centre
for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) jointly organized a media
consultation on "Mapithel dam and its Commissioning Plan" at Manipur
Press Club on 17 April 2017. The consultation is organized in the
context of the recent announcement of the Minister of Irrigation and
Flood Control Department (IFCD), Government of Manipur on 1 April 2017
to commission Mapithel dam within Twenty (20) days, i.e on 20th April
2017. A resolution against commissioning of Mapithel dam was also
adopted at the end of the media consultation.
Mr. Yumlembam Thoiba, JAC-Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected Peoples,
Mr. Laishram Mandir, Heirok Loumi Kanba Lup, Mr. Dominic Kashung,
Chairman, Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization (MDAVO) and Mr.
Ph. Deban, President, All Manipur United Clubs Organization (AMUCO)
graced as dais members of the media consultation.
Yumlembam Thoiba, President, JAC Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected
Peoples shared Tumukhong villagers in the immediate downstream and in
Zero Kilometer of Mapithel dam are now living in constant fear of dam
break due to poor quality of dam and the seepage of water from the
dam. The villages of Tumukhong, Itham and Moirangpurel etc earlier
provided sand and stone for construction in Imphal and beyond.
However, the blocking of Thoubal River by Mapithel dam already lead to
impoundment of sand and stone, undermining and threatening the
livelihood of villagers such as Tumukhong, Itham, Moirangpurel etc.
The Government should provide alternate livelihood for all Mapithel
dam affected communities.
Ph. Deban Sharma, President, AMUCO at 'Mapithel dam and its Commissioning Plan' at Manipur Press Club on 17 April 2017
Ph. Deban Sharma, President, AMUCO shared all development processes,
including dam construction should carefully consider the adverse and
long term implications on communities and environment, which they
depend for their survival. Mr. Deban said that the Mapithel dam should
not be commissioned without fulfilling the demands of affected
communities and considering the larger implications.
Ms. Chingakham Ibemhal, Women Section, JAC, MDDAP, shared how women
are subjected to extreme suffering due to Mapithel dam. The worst fear
among villagers is the arrival of Monsoon as many are worried of dam
break and the unpredictable water release. Many are worried their
children will be washed out by the sudden water release from the dam
reservoir. The livelihood impact of the dam has impacted children's
education and other needs as villagers can no longer depend on Thoubal
River.
Mr. Dominic Kashung, Chairman, MDAVO shared how the Mapithel dam
wreaked havoc and multifaceted impacts on villages such as Chadong,
Thoyee, Riha etc in upstream of Mapithel dam. Besides loss of
agriculture land, forest, grazing ground and other survival sources,
the Mapithel dam has affected the community's traditional way of life,
leading to much tension and conflict within the village, due to
manipulative and divisive policies of the Government.
Ms. Laishram Ibemcha, Itham Wangma Leikai lamented that the Mapithel
dam is intended to annihilate the survival of communities in
downstream of Mapithel dam. The villagers will be compelled to resort
to extreme steps to defend their lives and land if the Government
insisted on forcible commissioning of Mapithel dam. It is highly
unfortunate that the Government of India is more concerned with
protecting the rights of animals, but subduing the rights of
communities affected by Mapithel dam.
media consultation on 'Mapithel dam and its Commissioning Plan' at Manipur Press Club on 17 April 2017
Mr. Laishram Mandir, Heirok Loumi Kanba Lup shared that the proposed
commissioning plan of Mapithel dam is despite the non-construction of
the canals and other key components of Mapithel dam. The proposed plan
to construct a branch canal of Mapithel dam in Heirok is opposed by
villagers of Heirok for its impact and irrationality. The Mapithel dam
will not serve its purpose even if the dam is commissioned. Mapithel
dam is good only for corrupt officials and corporate bodies and as
such, the corruption aspect of Mapithel dam should be thoroughly
investigated.
Basanta Wanglemba, President, Tumukhong Village Authority shared the
most important impact of Mapithel dam is the livelihood of affected
communities of Mapithel dam. Further, the divide and rule policies of
the IFCD and the Government of Manipur is creating much chaos among
the villagers. It is condemnable that the Government has failed to
formulate a clear rehabilitation and resettlement for the affected
communities, both in upstream and downstream areas. The proposed move
to commission Mapithel dam in disregard of the demands for rights and
for a rehabilitation and resettlement process acceptable to affected
communities constitute an undemocratic forms of development.
Resolution: The participants of consultation on Mapithel dam and
Commissioning Plans" hereby resolved the following:
- The Mapithel dam should not be commissioned without fulfilling the
demands of affected communities both in the upstream and downstream
portion of Mapithel dam, for their rights, including for their
rehabilitation and resettlement.
- An expert team should conduct a detailed assessment of the safety of
Mapithel dam, considering the ongoing water leakage from Mapithel dam,
with due information to all communities.
- The corruption aspect of Mapithel dam should be thoroughly
investigated.
- Affected communities will reject and resist all efforts of the
Government of Manipur to forcibly commission the Mapithel dam without
peoples consent.
- Communities affected by Mapithel dam in both upstream and downstream
of Mapithel Dam will jointly strive and struggle to stop commissioning
of Mapithel dam and to achieve their demands.
(Mr. Dominic Kashung)
Chairman, MDAVO
(Mr. Thoiba Yumlembam)
President, MDDAP
(Sanaton Laishram)
President, CRAM
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur who can be contacted at cra(DOT)manipur(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on April 18 2017
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.