Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers reject DC Order
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, October 30 2012: Representatives of the people affected by the Thoubal Multipurpose Project have rejected the notification given by the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul on October 22 last, which said that the Deputy Commissioner as the Chairman will verify families to be covered under Relief and Rehabilitation Package with regard to two villages, comprising Chadong and Lamlai Khunou of Ukhrul district from October 31 to November 2 and October 29-30 respectively.

Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organization (MVDO) Chairman R Sakathan who represented the villages affected upstream of Mapithel Dam by the project has said in a press conference today at Hotel Imphal that the DC is side-stepping the Governor's order and subsequent constitution of the Expert Review Committee (ERC) to verify the people affected on January 18, 2008 which included several government departments, the local MLA, experts from Manipur University, village heads and representatives of the organization too.

However, the DC has taken a unilateral decision by giving the notification without consulting the whole people constituting the ERC.

While the Governor's order mentioned only the two villages, the chairman of MVDO, further reiterated that not only the two villages but more were affected in both the upstream and downstream that still requires ERC verification.

He also urged for ensuring justice form those sacrificing their land, water and forest for the larger good of the people.

He also urged the DC to recall the notification and thrash out the matter at the Committee level and warned that any verification done outside the purview of the ERC will not be accepted by the villages and further challenged both at the level of the affected people and legal space.

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