Lamlai Khunou, Chadong seek Govt intervention
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 21 2015 : Chief of Lamlai Khunou, P Mahami and Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs, Manipur (FATYCM) appealed to the State Govern-ment to take up immediate measure and mitigate the plight of the poor villagers affected by the construction of Mapithel Dam.

A team of FATYCM led by its president R Ashing along with media persons visited Chadong and Lamlai villages aftermath the inundation of the areas which were flooded by the construction of the Mapithel Dam Multi-Purpose project.

Village chief, P Mahami rued that the villages have been going through several hardships day after day without electricity, proper drink- ing water after their connectivity has been cut off follow- ing submergence of the villages.

A submerged church stands as testimony of the growing woes

Regretting the objection made by the Mapithel Dam Affected Villages' Organisation (MDAVO) regarding the construction of the road, he further lamented that they are also going through the same hardship as them and needed the essential necessities like clean drinking water, electricity, road and also schools for children to study.

He also stated that "The people of the villages have suffered enough including myself but just hoping that god will surely give a reason to live once again" .

The village chief of Lamlai Khunou also said that they have no objection with the government in bringing development like construction of roads and various others requirement of the villages and fervently appealed to the authorities concerned to take up the immediate measure at the earliest.

The village chief and Mapithel Dam Multipurpose Project Displace villages committee, president Omison Luikham also expressed their gratitude to the authority concerned for taking the matter seriously and also for understanding their grievances.

The president of FATYCM while speaking to media expressed deep concern and grief after witnessing the plight of the affected villages and neighbouring villages.

He further alleged that the construction of Mapithel Dam Multi-Purpose Project across the Mapithel River by the State Congress Government has turned out to be nothing less than a life threatening plunder and no measures of compensation will give consolation to the people.

The unprepared villages were caught off guard as incessant rain began to inundate and submerge Chadong village at rapid rate.

Large area of paddy field, jhumland and other valuable assets damaged are yet to be surveyed and compensated.

This nightmarish man-made calamity is the sole outcome of the injudicious and unsystematic planning and preparation by the State Government of Manipur and improper utilization, misappropriation and re-appropriation of fund for the proposed dam are the main culprits as compensation (R&R Packages) were much bargained upon with the villagers, he added.

The president also said that neither Ministers nor MLAs have visited the site and consoled their plights so far and even the JVT (Joint Verification Team) chairman, the incumbent Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul has never set foot on the spot except for a brief visit once this year.

The president also stated that "We are peace loving people, but if such unkind treatment continues, we shall by force take up democratic agitation and activities which shall not be very palatable" .

He also informed the media persons that a memorandum was also submitted today to the Chief Minister urging him to look into the plight of the villages at the earliest.