Imphal, September 06: Along with taking out a protest rally against construction of Mapithel Dam (Thoubal Multipurpose Project), villagers of the surrounding areas have closed down all activities related to the dam with effect from today until an agreement is brought about with the Government of Manipur.

The decision to close down the activities of the dam was arrived at a joint public meeting of the affected villagers held under the aegis of Mapithel Dam Affected Ching-Tam Organisation at Nongdam Tangkhul village today.

The construction of the controversial dam began in 1980 with the approval of the Central Water Commission.

The dam has already submerged over 100 houses in Louphong and Phayang villages apart from causing inconveniences to the people of the surrounding area as a result of the construction works, said the villagers.

According to the villagers, they have no objection as such to the construction of the dam but the Government should pay adequate compensation after an agreement with the affected land owners without any discrimination between the villages located in the upstream and downstream of the dam.

The villagers also complained over the fact that the compensation amount has not been increased although the project cost of the dam has been revised every year.

From the side of the Government, compensation including rehabilitation benefits have already been provided to some of the affected villagers.

The meeting attended by representatives of Mapithel Dam Affected Village Organisation, Tipaimukh Action Committee, JAC Against Airport Extension and Expansion, ATSUM, AMUCO, COHR, Dr RK Ranjan of Manipur University and community leaders of 15 different villages of the surrounding area had also adopted various resolutions.

Resolutions include to close down all activities related to the dam until the Government implement the points highlighted in the memorandum submitted by Mapithel Dam Affected Ching-Tam Organisation, not to give any sort of co-operation by the people to the activities of the dam and to take action against any individual or organisations which acted otherwise.

All those who spoke at the meeting resented the Government for not taking into confidence the villagers in connection with construction of the dam.

Before commencement of the meeting, a protest rally was taken out from Nongdam Tangkhul village.

Holding placards in hands around 2000 people participated in the rally shouting slogans decrying the conduct of the Government.

The protestors were stopped by the combined force of Police, commandos and IRB personnel just 50 metres short of the gate of the dam.

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