FATYCM urges Govt to solve plight of dam affected villagers
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 18 2015:
Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs, Manipur (FATYCM) has fervently appealed to the State Government to take up immediate measures and mitigate the plight of the people affected by Mapithel dam.
A team of FATYCM led by its President R Asing visited submerged villages of Chadong and Lamlai on Tuesday.
The team expressed deep concern and grief after witnessing the unbearable plight of the villagers.
Speaking to the media persons on the sidelines of the visit, Asing criticised the state government for construction of a useless dam like Mapithel Dam and said no measures of compensation will bring normalcy to the people.
After the government suddenly started blocking the dam water last January, many villages, properties including churches, schools, homesteads, paddy field, jhum lands and other valuable assets were submerged.
Asing said blocking the dam water without proper surveying the areas is a clear indication that the government has deliberately planned to refuse compensation to the losses of the poor tribal folks of the affected sites, which is a gross violation of human rights.
All luscious green orchards, vegetations and other valuable forest trees have been submerged and perished by the water.
Connectivity, electricity and water supply have been totally cut off from the rest of the state and villagers are using bamboo rafts for travelling.
Asing further said improper utilisation and misappropriation of fund for the proposed dam are the main culprits as compensation (Rehabilitation and Resettlement package) was bargained with the villagers by extending time in giving piecemeal payments on instalment basis.