Senapati, October 26: The Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has decried the policy of the State Government on alleged continuous suppression of the voice of the affected peoples and intentionally going ahead with the construction activities of Mapithel Dam of the Thoubal Multipurpose Project despite a persistent opposition demanding thorough review of the entire project in the light of gross violation of Environment and Forest Acts".

NPMHR (Manipur Sector) disclosed that the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India in its letter dated 28th December 28, 2006 to the Government of Manipur through the state Chief Secretary to take immediate and adequate steps to stop further violation of the Mapithel Dam.

"Again, the Chief Conservator of Forest (T&P) cum Nodal Officer (FCA-1980), K Thambou wrote to the Chief Engineer, IFCD on January 15 this year to stop further construction of Thoubal Multipurpose Project and to submit detailed reports of violation," further disclosed the NPMHR.

It alleged that Mapithel Dam of Thoubal Multi-purpose Project was undertaken without obtaining Environmental and Forest clearances as required under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 respectively.

The NPMHR maintained that the continued construction of the Mapithel Dam as muzzling its very own people's opinion by "deploying security forces and creating militarized environment which is a clearly another case of total disregards to the rule of laws and undermining the justice, encouraging perpetration of injustice and bamboozling state bureaucrats and technocrats at the cost of the people by the democratically elected Government of Manipur".

NPMHR called for immediate halting of Mapithel Dam construction and constitution of a review committee with the inclusion of experts to consider Environment Impact Assessment, Environment Management Plan, Rehabilitation and Resettlement plan with full consultation and active participation of the affected villagers, incorporating and in full compliance to the World Commission on Dams recommendations and all human rights principles.

"The officials or technocrats who perpetrated the violation of the Acts, deserve befitting punishment," concluded the statement.

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