Anti-Mapithel dam rally taken out
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22: Demanding the stalling of the work if the proposal to construct Mapithel (Maphou) dam is not to be reviewed, hundreds of anti-dam activists took out a protest march around the dam site today.

The protestors demanding setting up of an expert review committee to look into the rehabilitation and resettlement of the villagers who would be affected by the construction of the proposed Mapithel Dam.

A rally staged against Mapithel Dam and (inset) a flooded field due to the dam

The dam is to come up as part of the larger Thoubal Multipurpose Project over Thoubal river running through Phayeng of Ukhrul district and Maphou in Senapati district.

The protest march sponsored by Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO) was supported by Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) and villagers settling around the around of the dam site.

Talking to mediapersons on the sideline of the protest march, MDAVO chairman Ramthing Kasar lamented that although IFC Minister N Biren had given assurance on setting up a review committee within 15 days during a joint meeting with the Organisation on January 3, the same has not been implemented till date.

Construction of the dam should be stopped until the review committee has been set up.

Otherwise, the Organisation would be constrained to launch more intense agitation, he warned.

Setting up of coffer dam to facilitate construction of the main dam has also led to inundation of a vast tract of paddy field on the upper side, he informed, adding that no information had been ever given to the villagers before setting up the coffer dam.

Secretary of Tumukhong Village Development Committee RK Koireng pointed out that after the construction of the coffer dam, the livelihood of many people who used to depend on fishing and quarrying activities from the river has been deprived.

The protest march commenced from Laphou village of Ukhrul district which would also come under water after the construction of the proposed dam and march through crossing the river.

However, in front of Maphou Police Outpost, security personnel stopped the protestors from going ahead.

Holding placards with in hands, the protestors remained there for around 1 hour shouting slogans like 'No review, no dam', 'Down down coffer dam', 'Go back IFCD, ANSAL, Progressive Co.', etc.

Afterward, representatives of MDAVO met the authorities of IFC, ANSAL and Progressive Co.

Following the assurance given by the authorities to bring up the demands of the people to the higher authorities concerned, the protestors converged at Tamukhong where a public meeting was held. It may be noted here that pending over 20 years now, the project cost of the 66 metre high and 1074 metre long Mapithel Dam has been revised two times already.

Initially the project cost was estimated at Rs 47.25 crores and now it has been estimated at Rs 715.81 crores.