Mapithel Dam Chadong school, Church submerged extensively
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 24 2015 : Whereas people living in the downstream of Mapithel Dam have been caught in a panicky situation following seepage of water, the newly constructed Chadong Government High School as well as the village Church have been submerged substantially.

Meanwhile people living in the upstream have expressed strong resentment against the authority's failure to give due information before the dam gates were closed.

Some Chadong villagers also expressed strong suspicion that the Government decided to speed up the dam construction work forcibly based on an alleged one-sided report submitted by an EE which says that seepage of water may exacerbate if the dam construction work is not completed soon.

The villagers maintained that payment of compensation as claimed by the Chief Minister might have been completed by 95 per cent only on Government files but the ground reality needs re-examination.

Submerged areas of Chadong village

Even though many houses have been flooded, the villagers have not shifted completely from the village because they are determined to stay there until an understanding is reached with the Government, said one Margaret.

Chadong villagers have been enduring all kinds of difficulties because they do not want to lose their ancestral home to Mapithel Dam.

Now the villagers are fed up of verbal assurances and they can be convinced only when the Government is ready to sign an MoU, she said.

MDAVO chairman Dominic Kashung decried the closure of dam gates without giving any prior notice and subsequent submergence of paddy fields, vegetable farms, playground, school building, Churches and dwelling houses.

Chadong villagers have no other means of transport except waterways and they are enduring all the miseries on account of construction of Mapithel Dam forcibly, Dominic said.

He also denounced forcible militarization of the dam site and adjoining areas.

MDAVO vice-chairman Thameson Jajo said that the Japan International Cooperation Agency is unlikely to fund the State Government's proposed integrated water supply project as the State Government has not been complying with all the related laws and norms applicable to construction of large dams.

MDAVO submitted a memorandum to JICA in February this year, and unless the State Government mend its ways by strictly complying with forest laws and amend violation of human rights committed in the course of Mapithel Dam, it would be impossible for the State Government to seek investment from JICA, Thameson Jajo said.

He added that all picnic parties in Chadong village and adjoining areas have been banned with immediate effect.