Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 30 2009:
The Mapithel Dam Affected Ching-Tam Organization (MDACTO) chairman, Rantha Shaiza, addressing a press meet at Hotel Imphal today, said that they were not against the construc tion of Mapithel dam, their only demand was that the Govt give appropriate compensation without any discrimination to the people affected by the dam.
The construction of the Mapithel dam in Manipur has affected thousands of acres of land from which the people living near the dam earn their livelihood, the chairman stated, and asked the government's assistance to provide the affec ted people an alternative source of livelihood.
The general secretary of MDACTO, Somorjit infor med that the organization along with the people had earlier taken up many agitation press their demands but the response of the Govt was to break up the agitations with tear gas shells and mock bombs, injuring many, some grievously.
He elucidated that the demands of MDACTO are to include a member of the organizations at the expert review committee, to provide rehabilitation and resettlement, to grant special economic rehabilitation to the downstream villages, to present appropriate compensation to Lungmila and JS Esau who were seriously injured due to firing by security forces during the agitation and to give proper compensation to land owners whose land have been affected by the dam.
Nongdam Tangkhul vill age headman said that they had sacrificed their livelihood for people of Manipur, so the Govt should reciprocate by looking after the welfare of the people affected by the dam.