MDDAP members stage protest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 03 2016: The JAC of Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected People has warned of launching intense form of agitation if the State Government fails to compensate the Mapithel Dam affected villagers at the earliest.

A protest demonstration was staged by the members of the JAC Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected Peoples and Moirangpurel Apunba Meira Paibi Lup at Palace Gate demanding the State Government to provide adequate compensation to all the villagers as assured.

Takhellambam Kaboklei, secretary, Moirangpurel Apunba Meira Paibi Lup said that villagers who have been depending on fishing and sand dredging for their livelihood have been severely affected by the construction of Mapithel dam.

Foreseeing the serious impacts on their lives the Mapithel dam would cause, the villagers had repeatedly appealed to the State Government not to construct the dam.

However, the State Government assured of providing adequate compensation to the affected families and to construct a road so that the villagers are not deprived of any basic necessities, she said.

Protesters said that the villagers were living with meagre income but contentedly before the State Government came up with the Maipithel dam project.

There are no reasons to live now.

Their only source of income has been snatched away and cannot afford to send their children to school as well, she said.

They further stated that they along with their family members would end their lives by jumping into the Mapithel dam in case the State Government is adamant to fulfil its assurances at the earliest.

In the meantime, W Joykumar, director, HRI has donated a sum of Rs 14,000 to each affected family for rehabilitation during the protest demonstration at Palace Gate today.

W Joykumar also urged the State Government to consider the plight of the affected families and address their grievances at the earliest.

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