Imphal, February 01: Throwing its weight behind the opposition raised against the construction of Mapithel Dam (Thoubal Multi-Purpose Project), the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong and the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights in collaboration with various apex bodies of the Tangkhul community held a public meeting and adopted a series of resolutions against the dam.

A joint statement issued by the TKS and NPMHR today said that after minutely discussing the hardships and losses to be suffered by the people, the meeting condemned the construction of Mapithel Dam and other such projects that adversely affect the livelihoods and economy of the indigenous peoples as well as cause ecological disruptions in the ancestral homeland of the Nagas.

The meeting also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the dam and also urged the State and Central Governments to withdraw the military deployed in and around Mapithel area and respect the rights of the people concerned.

Giving details, the statement said that the dam will submerge as many as 11 villages in the upstream area including fields, jhum lands, medicinal plants, sacred sites, graveyards, salt springs and other bio-rich lands.

Officially the total area of land to be submerged is 1215 hectares and 595 hectares of bio-resource rich forest lands.

However as in most cases, the area to be actually submerged will be twice the official estimate, it said.

Out of 21 villages, whose homesteads and agricultural lands stand to be submerged include, Phayang, Chadong, Lamlai Monbung, Lamlai Khullen, Lamlai Khunou (Ramrei Aze) in the upstream region and five villages whose agricultural lands will be submerged include Riha, Thawai, Zelenbung, Shankai and Sikibung etc.

The meeting also noted the construction work of the dam started without the consent of the people as well as sans the environmental clearance which are mandatory.

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