Newmai News Network
IMPHAL | February 17
The 48-hour total shutdown along the road leading to Mapithel Dam imposed by the dam affected villagers commenced on Monday.
The strike is being called by the Mapithel Dam Affected Headmen, Chiefs and Elders Organisation (MDAHCEO), protesting against the alleged state government's indifference to their long-pending demands of providing rehabilitation and resettlement.
The strike commenced from last midnight, and will continue till midnight of February 18.
Normal vehicular movement on the road leading to Mapithel dam connecting Imphal-Ukhrul has been severely hit by the total shutdown as dam affected villagers came out on the road and enforced the total shutdown at Risophung village.
Singyui Siro, a member of Risophung Village Authority threatened that if no positive response comes forth from the government side despite the 48-hour shutdown then they will be compelled to launch more intense forms of agitation.
“The state government had already assured to fulfil our demands. We are not begging from the government but demanding compensation for the damages the dam had caused,” he said. "The villagers are imposing the shutdown as government has failed to come up with a positive response to our demands despite repeated appeals", he alleged. “We will continue to impose the shutdown tomorrow also,” he added.
Mapithel Dam was constructed on Thoubal River as part of Thoubal Multipurpose Project. The project in Mapithel area of Phungyar sub-division of Ukhrul district is targeting to irrigate 21,000 hectares of cultivable land, besides giving 10 million gallons of drinking water every day and supply 7.5 MW of power. The project affected a total of 23 villages, both upstream and downstream. While some of the villages at the catchment area of the dam have been rooted out, others in the downstream areas of the dam have been experiencing survival challenges.
While giving the total shutdown call, MDAHCEO alleged that the state government has failed to address the plights of the affected villages.
