Villagers despondent on being denied compensation for so long
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 05 2011:
Villagers of Tangkhul Nongdam village which is in the downstream side of the Mapithel Dam, severely affected by the construction of the Dam, are in a despondent state on being denied their land compensation for so long.
Addressing media persons in a press conference at Nongdam Tangkhul village under Ukhrul district, Ramhar Saiza, President of the Mapithel Dam Affected Ching Tam Organisation (THADAKTO) said that the people of the area has been suffering a lot due to the construction of the Mapithel Dam.
The compensation of the villages which have been affected by the dam built in 1991 is still pending with the government.
Inspite of repeated assurance by the Chief Minister and the concern Minister that the compensation will be given out in due time, it has not put those words in action till today.
He further expressed disappointment at the government's negligence of the villages affected by the Dam on its downstream side and said that the most affected area is the downstream side of the Dam.
But the government is only concerned with paying out the compensation of the upstream areas which is less affected.
He further went on to say that the process of the Expert Review Committee (ERC) should be completed in due course of time.
He also demanded that the government should not create differences between the upstream and the downstream villagers, a Grievance Redressal Cell should be established at the earliest possible time and the government should implement the rules and regulations of the Dam and the process
of ERC.