'Desertification by dams be stopped'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 17 2013 :
A State Convention on 'Dams, Rivers and Peoples in Manipur' held at Imphal Hotel here today resolved to stop desertification of human settlement by construction of big dams and other so-called developmental projects.
The convention was jointly organised jointly by 10 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) namely, Committee on Natural Resources Protection in Manipur (CNRPM); Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organisation (MDAVO); Citizens Concern for Dam and Development (CCDD); All Loktak Lake Area Fishermen's Union (ALLFU); Centre for Research and Advocacy (CRA), Manipur; JAC on Protection of Hydrocarbon (JACOP HYCAR); Naga Women's Union (NWU); Human Rights Initiatives; Life Watch and JAC against Chakpi Multipurpose Project (JACCMP) .
The convention adopted 15 different resolutions which include prohibition of construction of big dams, removal of Ithai barrage after reviewing Loktak Multipurpose Project, dissolution of Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act 2006, revival of Expert Review Committee on Mapithel Dam formed in 2008, termination of the MoU signed between Manipur government and companies, termination of the environmental clearance of Tipaimukh Dam issued in 2008 .
The convention also registered strong protest against the proposed construction of Chakpi Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project and demanded not to give any blockage in the rivers of the state.
Furthermore, the convention demanded to seek for alternate energy solution and stop construction of big dams, removal of AFSPA 1958, ensure the rights of indigenous people for their land and properties and review the benefits of Loktak Project supposedly getting by the state.
Chairman of CCDD, Dr RK Ranjan, who attended the convention as moderator, observed that India government provides grant-in-aid to the North Eastern States through NEC from the loans provided by World Bank and ADB.
In order to recover its loan, the India government plans many ways to freely utilise the natural resources available in the north eastern states.
Dr Ranjan went on to note that the recent statement of Governor of Manipur, who said that a Power Grid Line with transmission capability of 250 MW would be established outside India through Manipur with funding from World Bank, has added more suspicion in the minds of the people of Manipur since it coincides with the various proposed power plants in the state.
The suspicion is that the power grid line is not for transmission of power to Manipur but for transmitting power outside the state from Manipur, he added.
He further said that the government's assertion that present pathetic power situation in the state is due to unwarranted reaction from some educated persons, was unfortunate.
Instead they should think that it is the incapability of the public representatives in utilising the resources of the state by the state itself.
Among those who participated in the convention, Director of COHR Phunindro Konsam lamented that the Government of Manipur has been destroying public properties and their houses without any information.
It is necessary to inform the settlers three or four times and provide adequate time to shift to another site for settlement if the land is to be acquired for any purpose.
However, in Manipur, the government uses police power and destroy houses using swords and spade, he added.
Naga Women Union president Aram Pamei warned that there are strong possible negative impacts in Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts because of the Tipaimukh Dam.
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