Imphal, September 03, 2010: The Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC) has submitted a lengthy memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh recently on the Tipaimukh Dam and other projects.

The SHDC has cautioned those agencies both the Government and NGOs to rethink before implementing the projects.

"All our the small and big rivers (Tuiruong and Tuivai � Tipaimukh Dam 1500 MW, Tuivai-210 MW, Serlui-12 MW, Tuivawl-40 MW, Tuirail-60 MW) in Mizoram's Sinlung Hills Development Council areas are proposed to be dammed.

When Mizoram requires only 160 MW for its own consumption, the imposition of this projects clearly points to the extermination of our land and people in the name of development.

Moreover, these projects are without the knowledge, consent and approval of the Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC) and the Hmar people.

SHDC and our people were never informed, consulted or intimated in any manner regarding these destructive projects that are already threatening us in our ancestral land.

These projects are undemocratic and imposed upon us," the SHDC said in its memorandum to the Prime Minister.

It mentioned that Serlui B hydel project has already pushed 'our people' out of their land, alienated 'our people' from their stable livelihood system and deprived them of their political rights.

Villages affected by the Serlui B Hydel project are already in a state of environmental refugees.

Worse, the major share of compensation our of Serlui B project and Tuirial Multipurpose Hydro Electric Project were bagged by the rich and powerful from Mizoram's Aizawl, people who were never affected by these projects, these projects are indiscriminate and inhumane in all its form.

They should never be allowed to take shape in the name of development.

Our experiences with small hydel projects show that there is lax or near absent regulatory mechanisms, which in turn cause environmental degradation and large-scale displacement of people.

The implementing agencies, both the State as well as non-State agencies, are merely institutionalising injustice in the name of development.

The deprived tribals should not be allow to be further marginalized from their land and of their constitutional rights.

Sinlung Hills Development Council does not give its consent and approval to the recently signed (April 28, 2010) Memorendum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Manipur, National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Shimla based Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN) for the construction of Tipaimukh Dam, by damming our river Tuiruong and Tuivai.

Besides destroying hundreds of kilometers of our virgin forest and jhum land, the proposed project will directly affect fourteen villages in Mizoram SHDC areas Sawleng, Darlawn, New Vervek, Sailutar, Sakawrdai, Khawlek, Vaitin, Vanbawng, Khawpuar, Suangpuilawn, Ratu, Phullen , NE Tlangnuam, and Lungsum.

We shall not allow the Govt of Manipur to capitalize its militarized power and invade our land and rivers, our dignity and freedom.

The implementing agencies of these projects did not disseminate any informations regarding these destructive structures.

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