MDAVO condemns Government's decision to commission Mapithel dam
Source: The Sangai Express
Ukhrul, October 09 2017:
The Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO) has strongly condemned the decision of IFCD, Manipur, to inaugurate Mapithel dam, as reported in news media, in the last part of October or November .
A press release issued by the organisation today argued that it is quite irrational for the project to be inaugurated as IFCD is yet to conduct detailed impacts assessment covering loss of livelihood sources, socio-economic, socio-cultural, health, safe drinking water and safety measures of the affected people living in both the upstream and donwstream villages .
The organisation asserted that the commission plan of the Mapithel dam is despite the serious violation of right to life of the affected villagers and without any proper implementation of rehabilitation and resettlement .
It pointed out that the commissioning of the dam is irrational as the fundamental components of the project are still incomplete along with the dam's water supply components .
It further stated alleged that the State Government has failed to rectify the violations of Forest Rights Act, 2006 and Forest Conservation Act, 1980 as the same still lie unresolved before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) .
The organisation explained that the plan to commission the dam is baffling even after the recent uncovering of poor quality of the dam along with several leakages and earth fissures .
It also questioned if Mapithel dam will really function after inauguration and pointed towards Khuga dam, alleging that the dam has been abandoned after its inauguration in 2010, without generating even a single rupee to the State revenue .
The organisation also expressed disappointment at the decision to commission Mapithel dam despite the PMO intervention in August 2016 and claimed that the commissioning of the dam will be a serious violation of indigenous people's rights as outlined in the UN Declaration of the rights of indigenous peoples and laso the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteurs on Indigenous peoples .
The MDAVO further urged the State Government to refrain from commissioning the dam before issues like rehabilitation and resettlement are resolved amicably and key components of the project are completed in the interest of the people.