Open Ithai Barrage gates : BJP to Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 25 2016: Highlighting the difficulties being encountered by people settled around Loktak Lake, BJP Manipur Pradesh has appealed to the State Government to open the gates of Ithai Barrage at the earliest.

Speaking to media persons at their Nityaipat Chuthek office this afternoon, BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesman Dr RK Ranjan said that people settled in the vicinity of Loktak Lake have been facing a flood-like situation as water level of the lake has increased considerably in the last few days on account of incessant rainfall.

Contrary to the general expectations of receiving multiple benefits from the Loktak Project, people of Manipur have been suffering a lot because of the project.

On account of continuous siltation by rivers which drain into Loktak lake and damming of flow of excess water by Ithai Barrage, the lake has becoming shallower and shallower, Dr Ranjan said.

The State Government never though about this possible situation.

It appears that the Government is more focused on earning money through contract works at the time of floods.

Even as people settled around Loktak Lake have been enduring harsh difficulties, Congress MLAs who represent them have not spoken a single word so far on behalf of the people's grievances, Dr Ranjan lamented.

The road which connects Jiribam with Tipaimukh was once known as Manbhadur Road.

Even as a huge amount was sanctioned for development of the road, no development work was executed.

As no development work was carried out, no more funds were sanctioned.

Now the State Government, in their bid to obtain funds, has renamed the road as JT Road.

In the same vein, Loktak Lake has been renamed as Moirang Pat in order to dilute schemes sanctioned for the lake.

This has only created a conflict between the people of Moirang and Thanga.

In the name of developing a model village at Thanga, the Government has been working to acquire land by evicting people already settled there.

This is not a sign of good governance, Ranjan remarked.

BJP Manipur Pradesh vice-president M Ashnikumar said that people settled around Loktak Lake belong to eight different Assembly segments and they have been facing a grim flood situation which was unknown in the last 10 years.

Pointing out that the situation is really alarming, Ashnikumar urged the authority concerned to open the gates of Ithai Barrage at the earliest.

He further urged the State Government to settle the row between the people of Thanga and Moirang amicably by consulting all stake holders.

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