Mapithel Dam still stirs hornet's nest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 30 2012: Alleging that the Government of Manipur has deployed a large number of security forces ahead of field survey for rehabilitation and re-settlement of Chadong and Lamlai Khunou which are among the villages likely to be affected by Mapithel Dam, the Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO) has denounced the same survey work.

Following an official order, survey and verification work started at Lamlai Khunou from October 29.The order listed 241 households in Lamlai Khunou village while the village actually has only 165 households.

Likewise, 455 households are listed in Chadong village as against the actual figure of 237 households.

During the verification process at Lamlai Khunou, the Government deployed a large number of security forces and people coming from other places like Happyland, Sagok village, Shingkap village and even Imphal were photographed and listed as natives of Lamlai Khunou.

Surprisingly, the village headman was not allowed to join the verification process, said MDAVO chairman R Sakathan.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Sakathan said that the Government was ready to spend Rs 105.44 crores for rehabilitation and re-settlement of the inflated number of households of Lamlai Khunou and Chadong.

Some officials have been scheming to swindle a huge amount out of this fund in the name of villagers whose homesteads and agricultural lands would be inundated by the dam.

This is unacceptable to MDAVO, he asserted.

Villagers who are likely to be affected by the dam have been demanding proper environmental assessment as well as adequate rehabilitation and resettlement measures since 1980 .

On January 18, 2008, an expert review committee was set up between the MDAVO and Government of Manipur including the Governor.

While the expert review committee was conducting an exclusive survey for adequate rehabilitation and resettlement, the Mapithel Multipurpose Project Displaced Villages Committee, Ukhrul district, Chadong village chief, Lamlai Khunou chairman signed an agreement with the IFCD on September 24, 2011 .

On the same day, the Government of Manipur issued a Memorandum for Cabinet.

In accordance to the memorandum, rehabilitation packages have been distributed to six villages affected by Thoubal Multipurpose Project (Mapithel Dam) .

However, no rehabilitation package has been given to Lamlai Khunou and Chadong villages so far.

MDAVO secretary R Leishipen said that the Mapithel Multipurpose Project Displaced Villages Committee which signed an agreement with the Government when field survey was being carried out by the expert review committee was a body based at Imphal, formed by residents of Imphal.

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