Dimapur, Nov 28 (MExN): The Member of Parliament for Outer Manipur, Mani Charenamai today appealed to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene and stop the construction of the 1500 MW Tipaimukh Hydro Electric (Multipurpose) Project in Manipur saying that the construction of the dam was against the wish of the people.
A representation letter to the Prime Minister by the MP sought to draw the attention of the Prime Minister towards the strong objection of the people of Manipur, particularly the Naga population of Tamenlong district against the construction of the proposed dam.
In his elaborate representation letter to the Prime Minister, the Outer Manipur MP said that the people of the state has begun to question the intention of the government, the attitude of the North East Power Corporation (NEEPCO) and the Government of Manipur bulldozing the construction of the dam, despite the fact that the PIB has given its observation that the project is not economically viable and that as per seismic zoning done by the BIS the dam site is located in a high risk seismic zone.
The MP also alleged that the mandatory environmental reference from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, which takes about three months for survey and filling of reports, was completed within three days so that the Prime Minister can lay the foundation stone at the earliest.
Putting forth the main reason of the people’s opposition to the dam, the Outer Manipur MP, Charenamei pointed out that large areas of land in the hill districts of Manipur especially in Tamenlong would be submerged which will adversely affect the people. Besides that, the MP also highlighted the Prime Minister on the loss of wild life of the area like the Zeilad Wildlife sanctuary and the habitat of the Akhoipuina (Red legged falcon) a migratory bird which visits Barak vally every year. The loss of innumerable flora and fauna and the reverine ecosystem of Barak, Irang and Makru rivers are beyond calculation, stated the MP.
In the light of all this, the MP in his letter pointed out that as many as ninety potential sites for setting up eco-friendly Hydro Electric plants have been identified by the Science and Technology Ministry but no steps have been taken to tap the rich water resources of the area. The MP also made special mention of the proposed Lotak Downstream Project which if constructed would be able to provide the required power supply to the state.
The MP then questioned why the concerned authority, instead of going ahead with the Loktak Downstream Project which is already in the advanced stage, is attempting to lay the foundation stone for the Tipaimukh Hydro Electric Power Dam without completing the mandatory formalities and at the strong protest of the people in the state as a whole. He added that going ahead with the controversial project has raised a lot of question on the intensions of the state and centre.
Mani Charenamei further pointed out that the public hearing held on November 22 last at Tamenlong was marked by violent protests by the people of the state as a whole and as such public meeting could not be conducted.
Having pointed out all these loopholes related with the dam, Charenamei appealed to the government to stop the plan to construct the proposed Tipaimukh dam as the people cannot accept any project which is planned for the benefit of other people at the cost of the land of poor tribe people, their culture, history, identity and their everything. Nothing can hurt the feeling of the tribal people more than the imposition of the Tipaimukh dam against their wishes and rights. The dislocation of the tribal settlement will create unprecedented social and political upheaval in the region, added Charenamei.
