Dimapur, September 14 (MExN): Starting from September 13, the Mapithel Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO) has boycotted the Manipur Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD), until their demand for a review of the construction of Mapithel Dam (Thoubal Multi-purpose Project) is fulfilled.
The MDAVO has been continually demanding the Government to Review the construction of Mapithel Dam (Thoubal Multi-purpose Project) with regards to the acceptability of the project to the people, environmental and social impacts, rehabilitation and re-settlement provisions. “The need of this Review has been called as Mapithel Dam which began in the early 1980s has not been completed even after more than 20 years of construction,” said R Kasar, Chairman of the MDAVO in a press release today.
The MDAVO noted that the dam has not taken the affected people’s consent, and that the plan for construction dam also has not gone through the necessary environmental and social impacts assessments as well its relevance of the project in the overall planning and policies of development planning. Kasar said that the decision to boycott the ICFD was taken at an emergency MDAVO House Assembly meeting on September 10 at Riha village, Ukhrul, which was attended by Village Authorities, Youth Clubs, Leaders, Village Shanao Long, MDAVO Committee members from all the affected villages of Mapithel area.
The MDAVO, while boycotting the IFCD, Government of Manipur, will prohibit any entry of vehicles, labourers, contractors, ANSALS Properties and Industries Ltd & Progressive Construction Ltd. and other officials related to Mapithel Dam construction, until the demand for ‘Review’ is completed. Kasar warned that consequences resulting due to any violations of the boycott called by the MDAVO will be borne by violators.
The MDAVO further noted that during the last twenty years, numerous memorandums and agitations have called for suspension of the construction work of Mapithel Dam until a proper review is conducted.
“However, the Dam authorities of the Government of Manipur have not responded to this legitimate call” the MDAVO Chairman lamented.
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