Villagers demand attention, threaten intense stir
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur, November 06 2017: The commission of Loktak project and establishment of Ithai barrage by National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) has affected the people residing in the surrounding areas leading the locals today to organise a sit in protest cum rally decrying the negligence and lack of attention by the authorities concerned .

After staging a protest demonstration at the Ithai bazar community hall, a rally was taken out at the surrounding areas of the barrage .

Speaking to media persons, president of Ithai Barrage Bazar Dev Com Consumers Operative Society Limited, Mairembam Romesh Singh, stated that the establishment of the dam does more harm than good for the people who have been residing around the barrage for the past many years .

He stated that a 12 point memorandum was submitted to NHPC officials and to which both the parties came to a mutual agreement on some terms.

The officials had assured to notify the people regarding the contractual work, however, after prolonged wait the locals found out that 500 new recruits were hired by the company without giving any prior notification to the villagers .

Regarding the construction of developmental projects in areas covered by NHPC, Romesh asserted that the people are stuck between the negligence of the local MLAs or Pradhan and the NHPC .

The concerned MLAs and Pradhan had told the people to discuss the matter with the company since the area is under NHPC and when they approached the NHPC officials, they were often told to wait.

The people could not bear the grievances any more and have prepared to take up stringent agitation if the company fails to meet the demands of the people, he added .

Maibam ongbi Shanti Devi ,who took part in the protest , stated that after the establishment of the barrage, innumerable grievances have been created, with little benefits to the people .

Lack of prolonged attention to the grievances of the locals by the authorities concerned have enraged and led them to launch various agitation .

Stating the inconveniences of the people, she said that the problems of the locals are not taken seriously and added that the road near the barrage upstream side of Manipur river has not been repaired till date, despite repeated appeals .

The locals were also denied fresh drinking water from the water tank above the Ithai barrage, especially during water scarcity, she added .

She said, after such negligence to the grievances and problems faced by the people, the affected locals have organised the sit in protest and the rally and added that only destroying the dam will solve the matter since they have been neglected.

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