ATSUM calls for halt to dam construction
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 02 2015 : Joining scores of civil society organisations particularly Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO), the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has called for an immediate halt to construction of Mapithel Dam.

ATSUM volunteers went and inspected the dam site today.

Later speaking to media persons at their Nagaram office, ATSUM president Muan Tombing said that there have been many lapses in different development projects while some of these projects pose serious challenges to the life and livelihood of a large number of people.

On account of closing the gates of the earth-filled dam, the upstream of the dam has been completely flooded while the downstream is totally dry.

Apart from the twin scourges of inundation and water scarcity, there is a lurking fear that the dam many collapse any time.

Leaders and volunteers of All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) inspecting Mapithel dam site today ; ATSUM has called for an immediate halt to construction of Mapithel Dam. Speaking to media persons, ATSUM president Muan Tombing said that execution of the Thoubal Multipurpose Project entailed rampant violation of indigenous people's rights

The dam was constructed without obtaining approval of the Hill Areas Committee which was in contravention of the guidelines of World Commission on Dams.

Execution of the Thoubal Multipurpose Project entailed rampant violation of indigenous people's rights, Muan Tombing said.

ATSUM welcomes all development projects but they should not be at the cost of people's livelihood.

In addition to seeking prior, informed consent of people likely to be affected, due rehabilitation and resettlement measures should be taken up before going ahead with any project.

All affected people should be given adequate compensation.

But all these general procedures were not followed before executing Mapithel Dam, he said.

Questioning whether Khoupum, Singda and Khuga dams have achieved their targets, Muan Tombing decried that the State Government has been still working to complete construction of Mapithel Dam.

Moreover, there was an order of the National Green Tribunal which directed the State Government to suspend Mapithel Dam construction for not obtaining the mandatory forest clearance.

The Government may choose to suspend the dam construct work or re-assess the same project through an expert review committee.

In case the Government chooses to browbeat its way, ATSUM would be compelled to launch all types of agitation in association with the masses and civil society organisations, Muan Tombing added.