Mapithel folks lay down ultimatum
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 02 2020:
The people affected by the Mapithel Dam project should be given 'economic livelihood rehabilitation packages' and the Government should take up steps towards this at the earliest, else bandh will be imposed on the Imphal-Kamjong and Imphal-Ukhrul road from December 7 to 10, said two bodies today.
The Joint Action Committee Against Force Construction of Mapithel Dam Manipur and the Mapithel Dam Affected Headmen Chiefs and Elders' Organisation said the Mapithel Dam affected people have not been provided the economic rehabilitation packages despite repeated appeals to the Government.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, Mapithel Dam Affected Headmen, Chiefs and Elders' Organisation, vice chairman, Thanmi Rimai said there have been many rounds of talks with the Government regarding their demands but an agreement is yet to be reached.
A talk on their demands with the Water Resources Minister scheduled for March 20 was not held due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The members of the committee and chiefs' organisation then held a talk with the Government on October 7 last but it failed to arrive at an agreement.
The Government then proposed to postpone the talk/matter for a month.
Then after a gap of one month, the bodies sent a reminder to the Government on November 6 .
As the Government did not give any response, the bodies then submitted memoranda without any response till November 20, he said.
The proposed bandh from December 7 to 10 on Imphal-Kamjong and Imphal-Ukhrul road has been called denouncing the failure of the Government to respond and its apathy towards the affected people, said Thanmi Rimai.
The bodies have also spoken with the president of Tangkhul Naga Long regarding the proposed bandh on November 27 .
The bodies hope not to disturb normal life of the public by calling bandh, but it is a necessary step to make the Government hear the Mapithel Dam affected people.
If the Government remains adamant, the affected people will launch intense agitation, he added.
About 20 villages have been affected by the Mapithel Dam project.
At least 70 percent of the compensation have been paid to the affected people, he said.