MDAVO activists vandalise 50 houses in Chadong
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, May 02 2013: Members of anti-dam group Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO) went berserk in Chadong village on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday vandalising as many as 50 houses belonging to beneficiaries of Relief and Rehabilitation (RR) programme of Mapithel Dam Thoubal Multi-Purpose Project.

A source from Chadong village authorities said more than 50 youths armed with shotguns and lethal weapons launched a series of attack at around 8pm Tuesday and continued on till 2am Wednesday.

In all 50 dwelling houses and granaries worth over Rs 6 crores, all belonging to those villagers, who had already received RR beneficiaries and participated in the ongoing photo verification process, were vandalised beyond repairs.

A team of police led by Ukhrul deputy commissioner Luckyson Kashung and Phungyar SDO Polly Makan visited the village and conducted an official inquiry at around 2.30pm Wednesday.

The official authorities have also established the involvement of youths from Lamlai Khullen, Riha (Routei) and Thawai (Thoyee) along with some Chadong villagers.

Locals said the attack was led by anti-dam group MDAVO leader Honreikhui Kashung, who is also the general secretary of Manipur unit Naga Peoples Front (NPF) along with few of his fellow activists.

A reliable source informed that the anti-dam group had served a quit notice to those beneficiaries, who had already received RR package and participated in the ongoing photo verification process, to leave Chadong village by May 30 .

"In the past weeks, the anti-dam group along with some unlawful armed persons have been making house to house visit threatening us to leave the village," said a victimised villager on condition of anonymity.

The incident was a re-run of violence committed by anti-dam group after a similar acts of vandalism, abduction of minor girls, physical assaults in Chadong village in 2012 .

Last year, the village authorities and victims have lodged several FIRs against the perpetrators of violence.

In connection with the abduction of two minor girls of Chadong village on May 9 2013, the Guahati High Court had also issued arrest order against Honreikhui Kashung, Thanmi Kashung, Dominic Kasar, Ramthing Kasar and Mh.Kahaoshang.

However, the district administration and police failed to initiate any action while completely ignoring the court order.

"For the past two years, we have been victims to series of violence committed by anti-dam group...the district administration is totally hopeless and indifferent to our plights," the village authorities asserted.

Comment