Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 29:
Reiterating its strong opposition to the proposal to construct the Tipaimukh multi-purpose project, the Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Project (ACTIP), Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam (CATD), United Naga Council, All Naga Students' Association, Manipur, Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights and the Naga Women Union, Manipur have decided to impose a 24 hour general strike from 6 pm of December 1 till 6 pm of December 2.In a statement, convenor of CATD and co-convenor of ACTIP said that the general strike is being called to protest the move initiated by the Government to lay the foundation stone of the controversial dam, despite the strong opposition to it by the people.
Significantly, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is scheduled to arrive here on December 2 and is expected to lay the foundation stone of the said dam.The ongoing economic blockade along NH-39 and NH-53 will also be intensified till the Government drops the plan to lay the foundation stone by the Prime Minister and until the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government and NEEPCO is scrapped, said the statement.
The MoU was signed when the State was under President's Rule.
Strongly condemning the public hearings conducted by the Government at Churachandpur and Tamenglong recently, the statement said that the hearings were conducted under heavy security deployment under militarised environment.
This was a clear instance of flouting all democratic norms and practices, added the statement.
The anti-dam lobby has also appealed to the public to extend their co-operation to the movement launched against the proposed dam.
The opposition to the dam is raised to defend and protect the land and resources from the adverse and destructive forces which pose a threat to the survival of the people, asserted the statement.
Striking a warning tone, the statement said, "We declare we would not be responsible for any untoward incident arising out of the disregard of our appeal to protect our humanity and that the Government of Manipur, NEEPCO and Government of India should be solely responsible for any circumstances arising out of their continued disrespect to people's call for sustainable development, accountability and justice".