Newmai News Network Imphal | February 19 A consultative meeting against the proposed plan of the Government to inaugurate the Mapithel Dam/Thoubal Multipurpose Project was organized today at Ramrei village in Ukhrul district. The State Government is planning on inaugurating the dam during the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the State on March 15. The meeting was jointly organized by Tangkhul Mayar Naga Long (TMNL), Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long (TAZL), Zingtun Tangkhul Katamnao Long (ZTKL), KSO Litan and MDAVHCEO under the theme “Save our land, save our future”. About 300 men and women belonging to the affected villages from Nongdam to Sharkaphung, barring a few, took part in the day’s consultative meeting. During the consultative meeting, Dr. Laifungbam Debabrata Roy, President of Civil Societies Coalition for Human Rights exhorted on violation of human rights by development projects with special reference to Mapithel Dam. He expressed condemnation on commissioning of the dam with “series of rights violations”. Also speaking on the occasion, Daniel Ramsan, Senior Advocate challenged the “pertinent violation” of the Article 371 C of the Indian Constitution in the land acquisition of Mapithel Dam. Sanaton Laishram, President, CRAM, Phulindro Konsam, Chairman, Committee on Human Rights Manipur, Aram Pamei of CCDD, Hungyohung, NPMHR (South) among others spoke during the programme voicing their opposition to the proposed commissioning and inauguration plans. Over 30 civil organization leaders spoke during the consultation meeting and adopted various resolutions after the meeting. The consultative meeting resolved the condemnation “to force” inauguration of Mapithel Multipurpose Project scheduled for March 15, 2018 and demanded the government to revoke the decision immediately, failing which the “public will initiate stringent course of agitation”. The meet endorsed for the formation of a Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the plan of the “forced inauguration” of Mapithel Multipurpose Project through the initiative of TMNL in coordination with the host organizations. In this connection, the meeting also resolved to submit a joint memorandum to the President of India, the Prime Minister of India, the Governor and the Chief Minister of Manipur highlighting the gross violation of the constitution of India. The meeting endorsed the yet-to-be-formed JAC to initiate courses for follow up action on the memorandum and all the constituent organizations assured their backing to the JAC on the issue.
