Singda villages yet to taste tap water
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 22 2013 : Notwith-standing the State Government's recent decision to de-velop Singda Dam and surrounding areas into a beautiful landscape, Kadangband and other adjoining villages are yet to enjoy the benefit of tap water supply.

Ironically, Singda Dam was built keeping in view the multiple objectives of water supply to Imphal city, irrigation of paddy fields and generation of power.

Even though Singda Dam has been supplying tap water to some areas of Imphal city, villages located to its proximity have been denied the same benefit.

Almost 18 years after the dam was commissioned in 1995, Chief Minister O Ibobi and IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip visited the dam site on May 20 and announced a grand beautification plan.

The dam was constructed after acquiring 523.32 acres of land with the promise of ensuring potable water, water for irrigation and generation of 750 KW.

Except for supplying tap water to some areas of Imphal city, the dam has so far failed to serve its purpose.

A public meeting protest

Kadangband village which is located a few metres downstream is all set for a sudden transformation into something like Vrindaban Garden as per a Government announcement.

However, the villagers are not happy with the Govt plan as it entails acquisition of land.

Making their position clear, the villagers blocked Imphal-Kangchup road today in protest against the same plan.

they later held a meeting at Singda Bazar Panthoibi ground.

Then the villagers burnt effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi, IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip, Sekmai AC MLA Devendro and IFC Chief Engineer Indramani.

Speaking at the meeting, Kadangband Apunba Naharol president E Gyaneshwar said that even as water stored up by the dam is supplied to Imphal city, villages located close to the dam have not been given any such benefit.

As for irrigation of agricultural fields, the dam has failed miserably.

The meeting organised by the JAC Against Forced Eviction of Singda Kadangband in association with the Zeliangrong Students' Union, Zeliangrong Unon and other villages adopted five resolutions.

To stand united and firm against any Government design to acquire land forcibly from Kadangband and Irong was the foremost resolution.

Urging the Government to revoke the land acquisition order and banning all Government sponsored development activities in the area without prior consultation with local people were some other resolutions adopted at the meeting.