Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 03:
Observing that the Tipaimukh Hydro Electric Project is a threat to the Hmar people, the Hmar Students' Association (HSA) has asked for a complete halt to all activities, operations and process pertaining to the Project.
Saying that the Project will continually face popular resistance if the apprehensions of the people are addressed first, the HSA asked the State Government and the NEEPCO to deal with the issues that has been raised before proceeding with the Project.
A statement issued by the HSA noted that tribals and ethnic minorities have suffered disproportionately from the impact of dams in India.
It said that migrant labours, slum dwellers, bars and brothels cannot be the future of the indigenous people because of the Tipaimukh Project.
The impact of Tipaimukh Project will be disastrous to Hmar people as their natural resources such jhum lands and forests are common property and most often common properties cannot be compensated by cash.
Often treating land and forest as commodities leads to annihilation of people and their identity, observed the HSA while taking serious note of the absence of any guarantee of community health and livelihood of the project affected peoples.
Declaring that the HSA will safeguard the rights of the people to their land and natural resources, it reminded that obtaining free, prior and informed consent of the people is obligatory for any project before it is executed.
A memorandum was also submitted to the Chief Minister in
this regard.