Chadong village cut off by dam water
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Kopham Kanshouwa
Chadong, June 17 2015 :
The Chadong village life line has been cut off by the water after Government block Mapithel dam since January last.
Some selected media teams visited the village on Wednesday and found that all the roads, bridge, paddy fields have been immerse by the water and their houses may be submerged in the water within few days.
The villagers use two wooden canoes which were donated by UNM-M and some local made bamboo rafts for their transportation.
The affected villagers were unhappy with the government attitude of not hearing public voice against the blocking the dam water.
The villagers claimed that they will not leave the village until their demands were met by the government.
They demanded to settle the rehabilitation and resettlement through Expert Review Committee.
Public meeting was convened on Wednesday at the site of the river demanding immediate release of Mapithel dam water and stop construction of dam.
Speaking on the occasion Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation Advisor P Grace alleged that the Government is not interested in saving the farmers and indigenous right.
He said land accusation bill is more dangerous than AFSPA for the common people.
Chadong village headman Wungnaojo Kasar alleged that the government has cut down the life line of the villagers in the name of development.
The government is trying to take their land forcedly.
He urged the government to immediately release the dam water and stop construction of Mapithel dam.
He further asked the government to withdraw all the security personnel deployed around their villages.
Many slogans like "release water and stop Mapithel dam construction" werer raised during the protest.
Various dam experts, human right activists and many Mapithel dam villagers attended in the public meeting.