Source: Lalmalsawm Sungte *
Churachandpur, August 05:
The Hmar Students' Association (HSA) which is opposing Manipur government's decision to send more security forces to Tipaimukh sub-division has issued a statement on Tuesday terming the move as "the most unfortunate".
"The recently resolved decision for mass deployment of Central and State security forces and opening of security posts at seven kilometre intervals along the 99 km stretch of Mon Bahadur Road for movement of materials required for the construction of Tipaimukh Dam will only result in suppressing the rights and dignity of the Hmar people and their ancestral land," said a press statement issued by the students' general secretary, Mr Lalthalmuong Hmar.
Accusing the State government of "half-baked attempts" to uplift socio-economic conditions of the Hmars in Tipaimuk area, the student body said, "This has heralded one of our worst fears in connection with the proposed Tipaimukh Dam".
Questioning the move to deploy security forces, HSA, which has been actively involved in the Tipaimukh dam issue over the last few years said, "Militarisation and methods to forcibly construct the dam is unjust.
What and where is democracy when the state is always the first actor to employ force?".
The student body also accused the implementing agencies of violating their ancestral rights over their land.
"HSA is dismayed over the continuous attempt of the Government of Manipur and NEEPCO to build the mega dam despite the absence of any clearances from the indigenous Hmars of Tipaimukh.
The act is contempt to our rights as human," the students charged.
Demanding an "immediate" end to "undemocratic policy" and "decision" that "would further destabilise and destroy the lives, land, people, culture, and future of the indigenous peoples" the student body said militarisation of Tipaimukh will only lead to "more troubles".
In fact HSA has submitted its charter of demands "Twelve Points" to the Chairman & Managing Director of NEEPCO on March 17, 2003 on the issue of 'Engagement of Security Force for the Project'.
They had stated that "The heavy militarisation in project site will not augur peace and development, instead, it will definitely have a seriously impact on our culture and custom and also leads to massive human rights violation".
Stating that the people of Tipaimukh (also called Hmarram) instead of being a witness to the project that "will destroy their livelihood and land" the student body said they would like to see their SDOs, SDPOs, doctors, teachers and other officials in their respective posts and not in Churachandpur town or in Imphal.
* The news writer can be contacted at lalmalsawm(at)gmail(Dot)com .