JAC against Pabram HEP submits memo to CM
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 11 2015 : The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against Pabram Hydro-Electric Project (HEP) on Friday submitted a memorandum to the Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi on behalf of the people who will be affected by the Pabram Hydro-Electric Project (HEP) .

In the memorandum, the JAC stated that the Electricity Department, Government of Manipur and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) had signed a memorandum for construction of the proposed Hydel project on August 28, 2014 without the "prior detailed information or consent of the people" .

The memorandum informed that the 122 metres high Pabram HEP over Barak river promoted by the Electricity Department, Manipur spells disaster and depicts "the irresponsibility and utter disrespect to the right to peaceful existence of the peace loving tribal community of Liangmai and Zeme Nagas living in the Barak valley who would be affected if the dam is constructed" .

The JAC stated that there was no prior consultation with the local people and no Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) were made available to the public.

The memorandum alleged that no public awareness or sensitization programme were held by the concerned authorities.

"Due to the less gradient nature of flow of Barak river, it is feared that a distance of about 30 kilometers or more upstream will be submerged with a total of 19 (nineteen) villages that would be affected, namely- Luangdi Pabram, Ndai (Taipram), Pheluang, Nheng (Langpram), Taningjam, Nium, Jeng-mpa, Magulong, Lower and Middle Katang, Lower and Upper Dikiuram, Canaanram(Nagaland), Ntuma(Nagaland), Konphung, Rianglong, Nreng, Njao (Nagaland), and Biu-Tapon (Nagaland), and 7 (seven) villages that would be totally submerged, namely - Lower and Upper Dikuiram, Lower and Middle Katang, Canaanram (Nagaland), Konphung and Rianglong" .

This clearly indicated that it is actually not suitable to construct such a mega hydro project in this area, argued the JAC and stated that the dam construction will destroy the rich ancestral land and its natural resources, rich wild flora and fauna, the most suitable and valued agricultural land of the community will be submerged forever.

The signing of the memorandum of construction between the Electricity Department, Government of Manipur and The North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) is in "blatant violation of the provisions laid down under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 and notifications issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change", alleged the JAC.

Following the issues on hand, the JAC resolved that without the informed consent of the people the construction of the dam should not begin and condemned the irresponsible attitude of the Electricity Department, Government of Manipur and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) in signing the memorandum for construction of the proposed Hydel project on August 28, 2014.JAC also stated that, "We do not wish the government to act forcefully against the wishes of the community concerned.

We as a community will stand united and will not allow anyone or government to usurp our land against the wishes of the common people who are the rightful owners and decision makers of the land" .

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