ATRPFM appeals Govt yet again to aid landslide victims
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 01 2020: The All Tribal Rights' Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) has once again appealed to the State Government and authorities concerned, particularly the NHIDCL to translate the assurance given to the landslide affected householders into action without further delay.

As reported by the ATRPFM through the Deputy Commissioner, Noney District on July 22, 2020, a committee was constituted to analyse the cause of landslide of Longmai Noney areas along NH-37 by way of technical examination, analysis and other measures and also to suggest/recommend future course of action and remedial measures, said a press release issued by Joseph Rongmei, president, ATRPFM.

An order dated July 24, 2020, was issued by the Addl Chief Secretary, R&DM to that effect, he added.

Saying that a team of officials from various departments led by AK Ranjitkumar Singh, DRO, R&DM further inspected the said areas in response to the press statement issued by the ATRPFM and CSOs of Longmai Noney areas, Joseph added that he also took part in the inspection drive and the matter was published in the local dailies on July 27, 2020.Though the concerned authorities have full knowledge of the affected areas, specifically Longmai-3 village where about 30 houses including a Church are about to be washed away along with their standing crops, paddy fields etc by the landslide, no positive steps have been taken up by the concerned authorities till date, which is gross negligence of the part of State Government and the NHIDCL, he added.

Continuing that landslides are becoming more acute and the buildings are getting cracks bigger and bigger each passing day, Joseph added the Geological Survey of India has directed the affected residents to vacate the houses.

The State Government has not arranged any alternative rehabilitation facilities and there are no intimations/decisions on payment of compensations for the affected householders, he added.

Joseph also pointed out that the root cause of the landslide is the construction of road, i.e, NH-37 by the NHIDCL and non-maintenance of the said road with proper care and precaution.

Urging the State Government, NHIDCL and other concerned authorities to immediately pay compensations for the damages and arrange alternative livelihood and rehabilitation for the affected villagers, he cautioned that ATRPFM would be compelled to explore legal means against the State Government, NHIDCL and authorities concerned if the demands are not entertained.

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