NEEPCO misleading public on Tipaimukh Dam: SIPHRO
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Lamka, July 23 2014: Reacting to the recent statement of the new Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd.

(NEEPCO) alleging that environmentalists and NGOs are misleading the people on the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh Dam project, Sinlung Indigenous Peoples' Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) today asserted that actions of the government and NEEPCO on the proposed Mega Dam project despite peoples' objection clearly reflects their insensitivity and indifference towards environmental issues and sustainable development of the indigenous peoples in the region.

The government and NEEPCO are instead misleading the public on the proposed destructive project through false promises, militarisation, staged and restrictive public hearings that were held without free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous peoples, the organisation said.

Saying the insensitivity and indifference of the government and NEEPCO are absolutely inhumane, undemocratic and unconstitutional, SIPHRO maintained that the peaceful co-existence and survival of the indigenous peoples who, otherwise, are marginalised, with their rivers, land and natural resources is more important than the loose wagging of tongue and blind adventurism of a career-minded CMD.

A dictated and imposed project will forever stand against the intent and spirit of any democracy.

It will never stand to be acceptable nor palatable to the people who represent and constitute the heart of democracy, the organisation observed.

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