Resume ERC on Mapithel Dam: Bodies
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 05 2013 :
Asserting that the Thoubal River Valley Multipurpose project (Mapithel Dam) has little benefit for the indigenous people of the State particularly those affected most, three bodies namely, CORE, FIPA and UPFM have recommended that the Expert Review Committee set up by the State Govt in 2008 should be resumed with the full participation of the State Govt and such recommendations from an expert body should be complied with for peaceful and acceptable resolution of the issue and compensation under the R&R packages.
Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE), Forum for Indigenous Perspectives and Action (FIPA) and United Peoples Front Manipur (UPFM) made certain recommendations based on a finding during a fact-finding mission to Chadong village in Ukhrul district on April 4 .
The three bodies recommended that the orders of the Gauhati High Court restricting the Govt from undertaking further verifications till further orders should be fully complied with and the ongoing verification process undertaken by Ukhrul DC with police protection should be immediately halted.
Arriving at the conclusion, amongst others, that imposition of prohibitory orders on civilian population by the concerned authority for verifying process for compensation is in direct contradiction between intent and action, the three organisations recommended that the imposition of restriction under Section 144 of CrPC at Chadong village must be withdrawn.
Maintaining that the Govt of Manipur should consult and negotiate all outstanding and genuine issues of Chadong villagers, the recommendations made by the three bodies stated that Manipur Govt and its agency/dept must refrain from creating confusion and division among the people by promoting bogus bodies or committees in order to please vested interests or impose the will of the Govt without free, prior and informed consent of the people of Chadong village.
Further, observing that sharp division and dissension existed among the people of Chadong, the three bodies stated that every earnest effort must be made by the elders of the Village Authorities of Chadong and neighbouring villages to resolve intra-village and inter-village conflicts through traditional means in order to promote and strengthen unity and collective action for justice and rights of the people.
A joint press statement issued by the three organisations also expressed deep distress regarding the current trend of governance failure and police high-handedness towards the indigenous communities of the State in the name of development.
It further observed that Chadong villagers are exercising their legitimate and democratic rights to protest against an intolerable authority that has divested itself of any responsibility and continuing to intimidate and terrorise them.