DAPO appeals NEEPCO authorities to immediately take goodwill action(s) for bereaved family
Wokha, January 4 (MExN): Office of the Downstream Affected Peoples’ Organisation (DAPO) has conveyed heartfelt condolence at the tragic demise of late S. Npilo Ovung of Moilan Village, who was washed away by the Doyang River on December 29 around 8-8:30 am.
At the same time, it condemned the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) for “not having any safety measures for the people of Doyang Downstream Villages like installation of warning system, leaving the denizens at the mercy of the nature.”
A press release from Motsuthung Tungoe, Vice Chairman and Wobemo Tsopoe, Secretary of DAPO lamented that even after repeated appeals and requests from the DAPO office for safety measures and alternative arrangements for its people, “NEEPCO officials never paid heed to the grievances of the Doyang Downstream Denizens.”
DAPO pointed out that since the commencement of Doyang Hydro Electric Project (DHEP), five countable precious lives, namely Anyimo Kikon of Pyotchu Village (2003), Mhachen Tungoe of Pyotchu Village (2007), Khondao Shitiri of Okotso Village (2009), Shobemo Mozhui of Lontsung Village (2012), Achumo Ovung of Moilan Villaage (2014), have been lost due to incessant release of water from the percolating dam.
The DAPO office further accused the NEEPCO authorities of “enjoying the fruits at the cost of innocent lives” and appealed to make necessary and good arrangements for its people at the earliest. “Failing which the office will take its own course of step and action and the NEEPCO authorities will be held responsible for any untoward consequences,” the press release warned.
Through the press release, DAPO also appealed to the NEEPCO authorities to immediately take goodwill action(s) in favour of the bereaved family.
The release informed that on that fateful day, the victim along with four others had gone to harvest orange at her orange plantation field/farm. One of her companions, Yanphyolo Ovung of Moilan was also washed away, but had a lucky escape when she was flushed onshore, it added.
