MDAVO objects IFCD's order against Chadong villagers
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 02 2015 : Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organisation(MDAVO) said on Thursday it strongly objects the office notification of the Executive Engineer, Thoubal Project Division I, IFCD Manipur published in the local newspapers on June 30 last that warned the villagers of Chadong to shift within 15 days.

The very notice is an illegal imposition as it contradicts para 8 (page 52) of the Rehabilitation Plan of the Oustees 1998 where it states that "the rehabilitation plan would be completed before one year of the completion of the project," a statement released by MDAVO chairman Themson Jajo.

Additionally, the current notice is also a violation of the High Court stay order of 25/04/2012 where it clearly states that "agreement dated 24/09/2011 for RnR package shall not be given until further order," it said.

The village of Chadong is gradually being submerged under the water released from Mapithel Dam and that like animals they have been asked to move to a Government designated site, the statement said.

Rehabilitation and resettlement is about rebuilding a new village with all amenities and new life skills that allows better life as they have sacrificed the ancestral homes for the greater common good, MDAVO said.

The farmlands have been submerged since months, the organization said.

It said that except for ground levelling, the land allotted for 'relocation' is bereft of the basic requirements for a person to live with dignity and respect.

The human rights of the villagers having been snatched with the construction of the dam these may be abused and violated over and over again, MDAVO said.

"We are concerned and extremely suspicious of the present Government which has the audacity to ask the villagers to move to a place where there are not even amenities such as drinking water.

Such policies have gone against the basic right to life and survival.

There have been no proper plans for livelihood.

The criminal intent and action will be met with legal action and resistance from the villagers who have stood against the Government," the statement added.

It said MDAVO would like to reiterate in a final note that the final comments and recommendations by the Expert Review Committee (ERC) on RnR constituted by the Government of Manipur on January 18, 2008 as per order of Governor of Manipur letter dated No 20/1/2005-IFC (Pt) be made at the earliest before the angst and agony of the submerging village and villagers take over.

Comment