RKL warns of destroying water pipeline
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 20 2013:
In pursuance of the ultimatum to the Department of PHED, regarding alleged ignore of the genuine greivances of 17 villages in Raphei area which was brought to the notice of the State Authority in July 2012, Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL) has warned that it will be its legitimate rights as 'watchdog' of people of the area to destroy the water pipeline without any further notice.
According to a press release of RKL, water supply of Ukhrul Town with the population of 79191 comes on the eastern side from Shirui Hill supplying 23 Lac ltrs per day and on the western side from 'Kasom' stream diverted to Assam Rifles Head Quarter at Somsai.
The 'Rangatak' River fed by the two sources and to which agriculture of 17 downstream villages depend for irrigation has been affected depriving their sustainable livelihood.
A memorandum was submitted to the Minister PHED in July 2012 to either compensate the affected 358 farmers in 17 villages or shift the source to southern slope which is not being use for irrigation as people practice shifting cultivation.
Whereas, Assam Rifles Authority has compensated only one of the 17 downstream villages affected, the Government of Manipur chose to ignore grievances of the people, the release observed.