Rally staged demanding Government takeover of Ithai Barrage, opening of all five gates till November
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur, August 28 2024: In view of repeated flooding across the five valley districts and widespread destruction of fish farms, paddyfields and homes, the Peoples Committee on Restoration of Loktak and Its Associate Wetland Manipur (PCRLAWM) has demanded the State Government to take over the operation of Ithai Barrage and ensure that all five gates/shutters remain open throughout the day until November.

Or else, decommission the Ithai Barrage altogether, demanded Angom Tiken, advisor, PCRLAWM.

The demands were raised during a public meeting and rally organised by PCRLAWM today.

The meeting was conducted at Ithai community hall and the rally was flagged off from here with the participation of villagers settled in the vicinity of Loktak lake.

It culminated at Ithai Dam.

Addressing the gathering, Angom Tiken stated that the barrage which became operational in July of 1983 has become the main cause of various agricultural lands being submerged underwater and failing to produce ciops.

This had led to a decline in the agricultural produce of the State.

The recent floods have rendered many homeless in Thoubal and Kakching districts and many fish farms and large swaths of paddyfields including the ones in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and other districts have been inundated.

Even as circumstances have become dire, the NHPC continues to operate as per its whims and release the water from Ithai dam whenever it pleases.

Stating that this cannot be tolerated, he demanded NHPC to provide compensation to the people who have lost their properties due to the 41-year old Ithai Barrage.

Maintaining that the people want the project which is operating beyond its tenure to be decommissioned, he added that even if it should continue operation, the State Government should take over the reins and open the gates of Ithai Barrage till November to reduce the widespread flooding occurring across various districts.

He cautioned that the concerned authority should address the grievances of the people at the earliest failing which the people will resort to more intense forms of agitations in the future.

The rally goers shouted many slogans today including "Decommission Loktak Hydro Power Project", "Keep Ithai Barrage gates open 24/7", "We can survive without Ithai Dam, decommission it", "Compensate people for property loss" and "Save Loktak Lake" among others.

Following the protest rally and pressure from the public, the officials on duty at Ithai Dam opened the shutters of Gate No 1 and 5 by 2 metres each, Gate No 3 by 5.5 metres and Gate No 4 by 4.5 .

Previously, only the shutters of Gate No 3 and 4 were opened by 4 metres and 3 metres respectively.

Meanwhile, Gate No 2 remained closed due to some mechanical problems.

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