Imphal, January 15: During a political dialogue on Tipaimukh Hydroelectric (Multipurpose) Project held today at Kangla hall, BJP, MPP, MSCP and NCP have denounced the project.

Other political parties abstained from the dialogue programme.

The programme organised by the Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Project (ACTIP) was moderated by Dean of History Department, MU Prof N Joykumar.

Even as the ruling coalition partiesCongress and CPI were conspicuously absent from the programme, representatives of BJP, MPP, MSCP and NCP spoke loud and clear against Tipaimukh Project.

BJP Manipur Pradesh vice-president Shanti-kumar decried the laying of foundation stone on December 16 for the project by Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in total disregard to the vehement opposition raised by the people.

Taking strong exception to the seclusive public hearings held in Churachandpur and Tamenglong, Shantikumar questioned the logic behind non-disclosure of detail project report prepared by Central Water Commission and Brahmaputra Board.

Declaring that BJP opposes Tipaimukh Project which would not only submerge the orange producing belts of Tamenglong district but also inundate several cultural heritage sites, the BJP vice-president asked the incumbent Government as to how much percentage has been deducted from the total amount sanctioned for the project.

Speaking on behalf of MPP, its secretary general Umananda said that MPP would not allow construction of Tipaimukh Project conceived with a myopic view without any consideration for the negative aspects of the Project which is most likely to destroy the rich bio-diversity, fragile ecology and rare flora and fauna of the State.

He said that MPP was against such risky mega projects.

Saying that such position of the party may be construed as standing against development process, Umananda clarified that MPP would support small and mini projects for the development of small StateManipur.

Taking part in the political dialogue, MSCP vicepresident Devbratta flayed the forced foundation stone laying of Tipaimukh Project.

Saying that MSCP denounced such conduct of the Union and State Governments, he observed that such conduct of the Union Government was against the basic principle of democracy.

The MSCP vice-president said that the party believes in active participation and informed consent of the people in the execution such mega projects.

NCP has clearly stated its stand against the destructive Tipaimukh Project in its election manifesto published today, said its general secretary Kh Ibomcha.

It has been an agenda of NCP to incorporate the report of Geologists concerning such mega projects including Tipaimukh Project in the detail project report, he said.

He further questioned the Union Govt whether it would be able to provide cent percent power generated by the project to the State or whether it can guarantee that the Project would not affect the Trans Asian Highway and the Tupul-Imphal rail line.

During the political dialogue, ACTIP convenor Nanda Kamei, CCDD representative Rajesh Salam and Dean of Students Welfare, MU Prof W Nabakumar deliberated on the pros and cons of the controversial Tipaimukh Project.

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