Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) poser to State Govt on Mapithel dam
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, December 12 2012: The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has directed the Manipur Government to put on hold the process of Rehabilitation and Resettlement programme being undertaken for the displaced villagers of the mega Mapithel dam project � without conducting any official spot enquiry but merely on the basis of petition from an anti-dam group.

In a memo addressed to the Chief Minister of Manipur (AHRC-UAC-191-2012 Dated 1st Nov.

2012), the AHRC has requested the State government to "immediately stop the activities of the illegally constituted JVT (Joint Verification Team)" and revoke "the notifications by the Government of Manipur dated 28 September 2012 and the Cabinet Memorandum dated 24 September 2011 for Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Mapithel Dam affected villagers" .

A response copy to AHRC's letter issued by the Mapithel Dam Multi-Purpose Project Displaced Villages Committee (MDMPDVC0 secretary (Information) Mathotmi Jajo has questioned the validity of AHRC's argument terming the JVT as "illegal" and according the Expert Review Committee (ERC) as the right and mandatory body.

"The Asian Human Rights Commission should have thoroughly examined all the proceedings relating to the Mapithel Dam before forwarding its findings and directives to the Government of Manipur.

Their consideration on the issue of Mapithel Dam appears to have been based merely on a memo submitted by a vested interest and anti-dam group," he stated.

The AHRC's directives have evoked strong response from the MDMPDVC � the legally constituted body currently dealing with State government on the RR packages of Lamlai Khunou and Chadong villages.

The MDMPDVC, a body which is instituted by the people and authorities of the two displaced villages, has termed the commission's overture as "totally biased and far from truth" .

The MDMPDVC postulated argument saying the JVT was constituted by the orders of the Governor of Manipur on September 28, 2012 and on what grounds the JVT be termed as "illegal" by the AHRC.

"AHRC has never conducted an official spot enquiry on the matters of Mapithel Dam.

Then, the guidelines issued on the Mapithel dam lacks any rationale," the MDMPDVC asserted.

It argued that the Hong Kong-based AHRC's memo appeared to have been prompted by mere representation submitted by the Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organisation (MDAVO) and the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur.

The MDMPDVC welcomed the AHRC's gesture but felt that their concern would have been much appreciated had the commission deputed a team to get better insight of the affected villagers of Mapithel dam.

In recent time, there are many reported and unreported undercurrents that violated the human rights of the affected villagers of Chadong.

"The MDAVO has been a party to the violation of human rights in Chadong village.

Their petition to AHRC is simply a cover up of their misdeeds against the people of Mapithel areas," Jajo asserted.

To cite glaring instances of human rights violation by certain group of people in collusion with members of MDAVO, the MDMPDVC mentioned the incidence of November 20, 2011 in which MH Poathing (26) s/o MH Aaron of Chadong village was attacked with deadly weapons and five persons have been identified as culprits from Chadong village.

The victim was hospitalized at Raj Polyclinic hospital, North AOC, Imphal and FIR was registered at Litan PS under Ukhrul District.

In another instance, the MDMPDVC stated that a group of people with its loyalty to MDAVO had assaulted Mr.Job Kasar s/o Late Pashi Kasar of Chadong village at his residence on May 8, 2012 at 6.30PM with lethal weapons.

He was reported to be seriously injured in the murder attempt.

Thereafter, it was informed that his minor daughters namely Ngalaton Kasar (13) and Sofina kasar (15) were kidnapped by the group members of the village and unlawfully detained at unknown location in the forest for 16hours.They were released after police intervention on the next day at 3PM.Further, the statement said the FIR was registered and the High Court, Imphal Bench had issued order under life WP (C) No.374 of 2012 24/09/2012 to take up appropriate action against the five accused persons namely MH.

Kahaoshang (41) s/o Kaphungkui of Chdaong village, Thanmi Kashung (44) s/o Late Khayao Kashung, advisor, MDAVO, Huimi Dominic Kashung (44) s/o Late Mashangam Kashung of Chadong village, Honreikhui Kashung (45) s/o Late Hangmashung kashung of Chadong, Ramthing Kasar (44) s/o Khongthangba kasar of Chadong village, Ps/Po Litan, Ukhrul district.

But justice is still eluding the victims.

In a series of violent fallout after the incident of Job Kasar and his minor two daughters, the MDMPDVC alleged that the residential house of KAS James, Headman of Chadong village and Ashang Kasar of the same village were destroyed by the group.

Eventually, members of MDAVO had destroyed Power lines at Chadong village and vandalized memorial stone of Peace Academy at Chadong village on November 13 last at 7PM.The statement also mentioned that CP Michael, Pastor of Chadong village Catholic Church and his son CP Anthony and their family members have fled from Chadong village on November 5 last, after K.S.Honchingsing, s/o Honreikhui Kashung, had fired at the pastor quarters.

The pastor, his son Anthony and family members have already fled Chadong village.

In similar cases, it added there are still some villagers of Chadong village who could not returned to their homes since May June 2011 due to threats and intimidations by anti-Mapithel dam MDAVO members of Chadong village in collusion with some group.

Jajo said the cited facts are points of reference be perused by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to examine the veracity of the MDAVO in pursuing the issues related to Mapithel dam.

He also argued that the case on Mapithel dam forwarded to the Government of Manipur by the Urgent Appeals Programme, Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) was clearly one-sided and purely on the basis of biased opinions of the MDAVO, and therefore, devoid of any substance for consideration.

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