Wozhuro (Wokha), December 30: The 2nd Waithou Chiru Traditional Custom and Cultural Annual Meet was held at Waithou Chiru ground today.

The event marked by presentation of colourful cultural dances of Chiru communities was jointly organised by Waithou Village Authority, Waithou Youth Club and Komrem Development Organisation.

The inaugural function was graced by president of United People's Font (UPF) Th Mangi, president in-charge of Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) Y Renghang Chothe and social worker T Tomba as chief guest, functional and guest of honour respectively.

In his address as chief guest of the function, Mangi said culture of a place can play an important role in building up the national character of its people.

Y Renghang Chothe also stressed on the important of cultural identity of various ethnic groups living together in Manipur since time immemorial.

Co-convenor of ACTIP O Bikramjit who also attended and spoke at the occasion, reiterated that the stand of the public against the move to construct the controversial Tipaimukh dam is due to the failure of the State Government and other related authorities to spell out the details of the rehabilitation policy for the would be affected people.

People of Manipur have been opposing to the construction of the dam for the last 20 years and various agitations have been launched, yet the leader of the SPF Government Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has been trying to sell out the land of Manipur for some percentage, he charged.

So there is no reason why the people of Manipur should not boycott the SPF Government, he added.

Reacting to the remarks of the Chief Minister who recently toned down the stand of the Government on the issue of construction of the dam and said that the project might be altogether scrapped even after the foundation stone had been laid if it is going to affect the lives of the people, Bikramjit wondered that the Government might be having some hidden agenda.

If the Government is of the opinion that construction of the dam would be useful to the people, then it should be able to take the people into confidence on the merits of the dam, Bikramjit demanded.

Unfortunately, the Government or any of the authorities concerned have come out with any detailed reports on the merits and demerits of construction of the Tipaimukh dam, he lamented, while stating resolutely that ACTIP would continue to oppose construction f the dam until and unless the Government made public the project report of the proposed dam.

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