'Mapithel Dam should not be commissioned'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 10 2017:
The JAC for Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected People (JAC-MDDAP) has condemned the proposed inaugural plan of the dam as announced by the IFCD Minister on April 1 .
A press release issued today by the chairman of the JAC stated that the project commissioning plan was announced despite the knowledge about the hardship faced by the people of the downstream villages such as Tumukhong, Moirangpurel, Itham, Laikhong, Nongpok Keithelmanbi, Nungbrang and Leirongthel Bitra etc due to loss of livelihood.
The blocking of the dam has also led to frequent occurrences of water borne diseases in the area and the discharge of water from the spillway has led to an increase in soil erosion.
It pointed out that there had been some incidents of leakage from the dam during 2015 which could lead to dam breakage and stated that the villagers of Tumukhong are in constant fear due to the substandard quality of the construction.
The JAC further expressed that there has been no Rehabilitation and Resettlement programme nor arrangements for alternate livelihood sources for the affected people from the State Government.
The JAC would take up intense agitation unless the authority concerned take up necessary steps to solve the issues faced by the downstream villages prior to the commissioning of the dam, it added.