Trials & tribulations of Chadong villagers
Source: Hueiyen News Service / K Kopham Kanshouwa
Chadong, July 24 2015 :
The life in the Chadong village came to a standstill after the Government disconnected power supplies some months back and all connecting roads went under water as a result of the Mapithel dam.
This sorry development came to light after this Reporter stayed one night in the village.
It is unfortunate to learn that no measures were taken up by the government even after blocking the dam water since January last.
On Wednesday, select local media team visited the Chadong village and interacted with the villagers to know the grievances faced by the people after the Dam water was blocked.
The villagers cried for justice against the violation of right to life and discriminating in their village.
The villagers narrated that the government has blocked the dam water without giving any prior information or notice to them.
Now almost all the houses including important places of village like Churches, playground, community hall, high school and graveyard have been inundated by the dam waters.
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However, the villagers refused to leave their village until the government fulfills their demands reflected in the agreement between Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organisation (MDAVO) and State Government on the 26 charter of demands which included fishing of rights, tourism rights, water right etc.
They have started shifting their houses at the higher level.
Another most shocking fact is that after their crops and agriculture lands were submerged into the water, the villagers did not have any vegetables to eat but only fish which they catch in the night using net.
The people use only two wooden rafts and bamboos to cross their village.
It takes over two hours to travel in the water and the people who wanted to reach the village have also to wait three to four hours near the water.
The people have been living without electricity and medical facility.
The villagers were offended that no responsible officials have come in the villages and made inquiries into the grievances of the people.
Moreover the upstream villagers like Lamlai Khunou, Ramrei Riha and Thoyee villagers also cried for justice after their paddy fields have started submerging.
They sought immediate intervention from the responsible authority to bring amicable solution before any untoward incident occurred.