NPO lashes out at State Govt
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, October 15 2014: Naga Peoples' Organisation (NPO) has lashed out at Manipur Government for signing the 95 MW Khongnem Chakha hydroelectric project with North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) without consulting the land owners and the tribal bodies.

In a statement, NPO on Wednesday said that it strongly condemns the signing of the agreement to construct the Khongnem Chakha hydroelectric project without the consent of the tribal organisations and the land owners.

'The dam will render thousands of people homeless and will snatch away our means of livelihood,' it said.

Apart from the district headquarters Senapati and Karong area which are already at stake, more than 25 villages will lose their ancestral agricultural land and age old habitat in the area from Khongnem to Chakha when the planned project comes into existence, mentioned the press release.

The Government of Manipur signed a pre-implementation agreement for four hydroelectric projects in Manipur with NEEPCO on August 28, 2014 at Hotel Imphal.

The projects include Tuivai electric project, Irang hydroelectric project, Khongnem Chakha hydroelectric project and the Pabram hydroelectric project.

The agreement was signed between Joint Secretary (Power) Th Kirankumar and Manipur State Power Corporation Ltd, Managing Director A Sarat representing NEEPCO in the presence of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam assuring both the State Government and the people that NEEPCO would try its level best to complete the project within 15 months.

NPO said it would not compromise the agricultural land for electricity because it is not right to lose agricultural land for the project which will render many homeless.

It said, 'Our history and identity cannot be submerged; it is our right to preserve the best interest of the people of Senapati district' .

The anti-dam crusade by the NPO has confirmed that the agreement between Manipur Government and NEEPCO on the Khongnem Chakha hydroelectric project to be taken up at a height of 52 meters (about 160 ft) where two Francis turbines will be installed with the objective to generate 95 MW at the cost of Rs 439.7 crore would be a waste, the press release said and pledged that no co-operation would be extended to it.

Lashing out at NEEPCO which has promised to provide toilet facilities to the schools nearby and also scholarships to the poor students in the area, NPO said such policies can never compensate the loss to be incurred by the poor villagers.

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