PANDM backs Mapithel dam affected villagers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 18 2015: People's Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDM) has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi urging him to provide equal rehabilitation and resettlement packages and special rehabilitation packages to Mapithel dam affected villagers.

The memorandum said that villagers of Lauphong, Phayang, Maphou, Nongdam Kuki and Nongdam Tangkhul, and four families of Tumukhong have been shifted to other places after they were assured of rehabilitation packages by successive Governments.

Although, these villagers have been suffering since 1991, they have not got adequate compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement packages as assured by the Government, the memorandum said.

Regarding rehabilitation package, the memorandum said that all the households of Chadong and Lamlai Khunou villages got Rs 15 lakh per household in 2011 considering every 18 year-old male as a separate family.

However, this system was not implemented in Phayang and Louphong villages, the memorandum said and added that all the households of Phayang and Louphong villages were given only Rs 2,19,000 per household under Higher Relief Assistance Scheme in 2007 .

On the other hand, these villagers said that they received only Rs One lakh per household, the memorandum said.

Lamlai Khulen and Lamlai Mongbung villagers received Rs 5 lakh per household in 2008-2009 .

The villagers of Maphou Kuki, Nongdam Kuki, Nongdam Tangkhul and Bethelphai received Rs 3 to 10 lakh per household in 1991, the memorandum said.

As such, there was a clear disparity and partiality in the disbursement of compensation amount, the memorandum said and added that by doing so the Government had not only failed to keep its promise but also violated specifications laid down in the RR Plan, 1998 framed and agreed by the Government of Manipur.

Now, villagers of Louphong and Nongdam Kuki villages have been instructed by Government officials to vacate their new settled location and shift to other safer areas due to rising water level of Thoubal river and formation of an artificial water body in the area and its peripheries, the memorandum said.

As such, the villagers are unable remain silent and they have sought moral and physical help from CSOs and other authorities.

As the matter has come to the notice of PANDM, the association would support the villagers in getting equal compensation of all the affected villages according to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 .

The memorandum also urged the Chief Minister to grant land compensation and rehabilitation and resettlement packages at par with Chadong and Lamlai Khunou villagers after conducting a proper revision of the number of households of all the affected villages.

It also urged to grant special economic packages to the affected villagers of the downstream.

Comment