Unpaid compensation: MDAHCEO calls for decommissioning of Mapithel Dam
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, October 18 2024: In light of the State Government's failure to pay compensations owed to the affected villagers in the construction of Mapithel Dam, the Mapithel Dam Affected Headmen, Chief and Elders Organisation (MDAHCEO) has demanded dismantling of the dam to allow the affected villagers to resume their old lives.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club during a press briefing today, M Ngaranmi, chairman, MDAHCEO claimed that in 1968-69, officials from the Ministry of Water Resources and Manipur Public Works Department conducted a survey in the area for the construction of Mapithel Dam without consulting the local villagers followed by a soil test conducted in 1970-71 .

After completion of the Thoubal Multipurpose Project, popularly known as Mapithel Dam, Union Minister Amit Shah formally inaugurated the Project on December 27, 2020, he maintained.

Prior to the inauguration, on December 4 an 18-point Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Government and the representatives of the affected villages.

The memorandum had reportedly assured economic livelihood and rehabilitation packages for resettlement of villagers whose homes and settlements would be brought underwater as a result of the construction of Thoubal Multipurpose Project.

Stating that a large portion of these packages remain unreleased, M Ngaranmi shared some for the unpaid compensations including Rs 50 crore each for every affected village for the disappearance of river, sand, rocks etc and an additional Rs 50 crore to every affected village for destruction of vegetation and fauna including bamboo groves and trees.

He also spoke about another unreleased Rs 2,50,000 compensation for loss of bamboo groves in private standing property.

Notably, the MDAHCEO chairman further stressed that the Government has yet to pay for the inundation of Chadong village, Lamlai Khunou Community Hall, Chadong Baptist Church, Catholic Church and Lamlai Khunou Baptist Church, among others.

Due to the construction of Mapithel Dam, the rate of unemployment has increased drastically as the agricultural land of many villagers including their homesteads where they grow vegetables have been completely submerged, said Ngaranmi.

Accusing the Government of violating the villagers' human rights, he demanded swift dismantling of the Mapithel Dam as the Government has failed to grant the unpaid compensations.

He reasoned that breaking down the dam will drain out all the water from the submerged settlements and croplands and villagers will be able to return to their old lives.

The press briefing was attended by Thanmi Rimai, vice chairman, MDAHCEO, M Kharaomi, secretary, MDAHCEO and other important representatives of the organisation.

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