Memo demands removal of Mapithel dam
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 27 2018: A day-long consultation programme on the topic "Unfolding Impacts of Mapithel dam in Downstream Areas" was held today at Manipur Press Club.

The programme was jointly organised by Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected Village Level Committee; JAC - Mapithel dam Downstream Affected People; All Manipur Women Voluntary Association; Committee on Human Rights; Irabot Foundation Manipur; Thoubal River Conservation Committee; Centre for Research & Advocacy Manipur and Thoubal River Nung Leingoi Workers Association.

Thoiba Yumlembam, chairman of Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected People; Ibetombi, secretary of Mapithel Dam Downstream Affected Village Level Committee; Phulindro Konsam of Committee on Human Rights and Kh Nishikanta, president of Irabot Foundation, Manipur were present at the programme as resource persons.

Addressing the gathering, Ibetombi regretted that construction of Mapithel dam has greatly affected the villagers of Nungbrung mainly in livelihood.

She said that earlier the villagers used to earn Rs 1000-1500 per day but after the construction of Mapithel dam, they could earn only Rs 200 making them hard to look after their family.

She claimed that now the villagers are even deprived of drinking water and fishing unlike in the past.

She drew the attention of the Government to look into the untold miseries encountered by the villagers affected by Mapithel dam in downstream areas and take up measures to secure their future.

Taking serious note of the adverse effects caused by the dam, the organisations submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

The memorandum contended that since the blocking of Thoubal river by Mapithel dam from January 2015, many villages in downstream areas including Leirongthel Bitra, Nongpok Keithelmanbi, Laikhong, Itham, Kumuching, Nungaipokpi, Changamdabi, Moirangpurel, Tumukhong, Irong, Top Lamlai, Nungbrung, Yambem, Tulihal, Yairjpok Top, Thoubal area etc in Imphal East and Thoubal districts experienced wide suffering and survival challenges.

It stated that the increased difficulty to support the education of children turns out to be one of the most severe impacts in villages in downstream areas and many villagers who once were able to support their children's education from sand and stone collection and fishing from Thoubal river can no longer support the school fees.

The organisations in the memorandum demanded the Government to conduct a detailed impact assessment of the communities affected by Mapithel dam in downstream areas in consultation with them.

It also demanded the Government to prepare a detailed rehabilitation and resettlement and alternative livelihood means for the villagers affected by the dam in downstream areas.

The Mapithel dam should either be removed and the Thoubal river should be allowed to flow free till rehabilitation and resettlement for downstream affected communities are provided.

The Government should urgently ensure the right to education of all the children affected by the dam and establish adequate educational infrastructure and adequate number of teachers, the memorandum demanded.

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