Scrap Loktak Hydroelectric Project, says Manipur Loumi Lup, submits memorandum to PM
Source: The Sangai Express

CCPur, December 08 2018: Manipur Loumi Lup has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding the Centre to scrap Loktak Hydroelectric project and others during the recent United Farmers' Rally at Parliament street, New Delhi on November 30, said general secretary of the lup H Ibobi Singh today.

He was speaking to media persons at Irawat Bhavan, Imphal during areception ceremony held for the twelve farmers who participated in the rally in New Delhi.

30 NGOs and 208 farmers' organisations took part in the mass rally in Delhi, he said.

The rally demanded waiver of farmers' loans and details of the National Commission on Farmers/ Dr Swaminathan report, he said.

The Manipur Loumi Lup took part in the rally demanding shut down of the Loktak Hydroelectric Project, removal of Ithai Dam etc, he said.

Copies of the memorandum have also been submitted to the Chief Minister and earlier to the Governor, he said.

In the memorandum, Manipur Loumi Lup said that the Loktak Hydroelectric Project under NHPC commissioned in 1983 has done more harm than good to the people of the State in general and farming community in particular by continuously inundating 80,000 hectares of land which include prime paddy land of different categories, pastures, playground, homestead land etc and destroying the entire ecosystem and rich bio-diversity in and around the lake.

The memorandum identified Ithai Barrage on Imphal river, which diverts rain/river water to the Loktak Lake, as major cause for increasing flood in the surrounding areas and the reason for extensive deposition of sediments in the largest freshwater lake in North-East India and a Ramsar site.

Identifying the projects as threats to the livelihood and food security of the people of Manipur, the lup in its memorandum asked the Prime Minister for his intervention and Centre to close down the Loktak Hydroelectric Project and scrap Ithai Barrage.

It appealed the Prime Minister to take up initiatives such as dredging of Loktak Lake, afforestation and agroforestry on war footing as long term measures and microhydro projects, solar and wind power plants in the hills as alternative source of energy.

It also asked for check dams across ravines and hill streams to control flood, conserve soil and water and also allocate adequate funds to preserve Loktak Lake.

The memorandum also asked for proper assessment of the losses caused by the Loktak Hydroelectric Project and disbursement of the due compensation to the affected people.

It also appealed the Prime Minister to raise 'Eco Task Force' with due Central funding.

Manipur Loumi Lup advisor AC Sharma, president Singhajit, vice president U Rajmohon attended the welcome ceremony.

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