MDACTO threatens stir, sets 30 days deadline
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 26 2015:
Taking strong exception to the alleged failure of the State Government to fulfil their own assurances, people living in the downstream has set a target of 30 days for fulfilling all the assurances.
A joint meeting of Mapithel Dam affected people was held today at Laphong.
Speaking at the meeting, Mapithel Dam Affected Ching Tam Organisation (MDACTO) chairman Ramthar Shaiza said that TC Pokpi, Nongdam Kuki, Nongdam Tangkhul, Tumukhong and Moirangpurel are some of the villages affected by Mapithel Dam.
Louphong and Phayang have already been submerged under water.
At the assurance of the Government to provide proper rehabilitation and resettlement measures, people of the nearby villages allowed the dam construction work.
Although the dam is in the final stage of construction, the Government has been dilly-dallying all its assurances about rehabilitation and resettlement, Ramthar decried.
The Government announced economic rehabilitation and land compensation for downstream villages affected by the dam including Louphong and Phayang.
Moreover, the Government assured to construct new houses for families whose houses were inundated on account of the dam.
At the time of shifting to other places, families of Louphong and Phayang were given Rs 29000 and a tarpaulin each but all the tarpaulins were re-collected by the Government.
Certain lump sum amounts were also given to the people of Nongdam Kuki, Nongdam Tangkhul and Maphou.
In 2007, affected families were given Rs 2,19,000 each as higher relief.
But the amount varied with the monetary relief given to upstream people.
However, no relief assistance has been given to the people of Moirangpurel, Itham and Tumukhong.
As such, the Government should give what is due to the downstream people at the earliest.
In case the Government fails to address the grievances of downstream people within 30 days, the aggrieved people may be compelled to launch all kinds of agitation including disruption of the dam construction work, Ramthar Shaiza said.
AMUCO president Mani Khuman remarked that these so-called development works taken up by the Government lack vision.
AMUCO would extend all possible assistance to the effect that the grievances of downstream people are addressed satisfactorily.
"We would go to the Centre to highlight the woes of the affected people, if necessary", Mani added.