International Rivers Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 14 2013: Construction works of Mapithel (Maphou) Dam , part of Thoubal Multipurpose Project, should be stalled until the rights of the affected people are ensured and survival issues of the affected people are addressed.

This was adopted at a public meeting held today at the bed of Thoubal River (locally known as Yangruikong) at Thawai (Thoyee) village as part of the International Rivers Day observance.

Among others, the public meeting organised jointly by Mapithel Dam Affected Villages' Organisation and Committee on Protection of Natural resources in Manipur also demanded the revitalization of the Expert Review Committee set up by the Government in 2008.The meet also demanded the authority concerned to make public the report of the committee.

Further it demanded conduct of holistic impact assessment involving social, cultural, environmental, health and human rights with people's participation.

The meeting also resolved to demand stopping militarisation at the dam site besides demanding the authority concerned to nullify the verification of affected people for rehabilitation and resettlement conducted in 2012 .

The meet adopted that the verification process for resettlement and rehabilitation of affected people should be conducted with the free and prior consent of the people and with their participation.

Implementation of the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples on Mapithel Dam submitted in 2008 and to let the Thoubal River flow freely are also adopted during the public meeting today.

Speakers during the meeting today included Convenor of MDAVO Thanmi Kashung; Director of International Rivers Network South Asia, Samir Mehta; President of Naga Women Union, Manipur Aram Pamei; Convenor of CCDD, Dr RK Ranjan; general secretary of CCDD, Joseph Hmar and general secretary of Life Watch, Ningthoukhongjam Rajesh.

At the same time, the International Rivers Day was also observed at Holy Cross School, Jiri Lamkhai today under the joint aegis of CPNRM, People Endeavour for Social Changes and All Zeliangrong Students' Union.

AZSU president, Pamei Tingenlung and Director of PESC Dimgonglung Rongmei spoke during the observance programme.

Observance of the week-long International Rivers Day began from March 12 in the State under the auspices of CPNRM and other organisations, NGOs.

On March 12, a protest rally was taken out along the Chakpi River as part of the observance week besides adopting several resolutions.

Another observance programme was held at Sagol Shabi in Loktak yesterday with fishermen of the area.

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