Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 03 2010:
Hindrances have surfaced in the run up to the inauguration of the Khuga Multi-purpose Project in Churachandpur district.
Government is making hectic effort for the inauguration of the project during Sonia Gandhi's proposed visit in the state expected shortly.
No agreement could be brought about in the talks with Chief Minister O Ibobi during his inspection tour of the project site yesterday, and the Joint Action Committee on Khuga Dam Project wednesday submitted an ultimatum to the Chief Minister.
The long delay in payment of compensation to the villagers affected by the project and non-clearance of bills for the local contractors and long standing demand for immediate completion of the project has come to a deadlock between the people of Churachandpur and the state government.
If the government fails to address to the demands, JAC will be compelled to resort to agitation of any kind and will oppose the inauguration function at all levels in the interest of the public, the ultimatum to the Chief Minister submitted today stated.
They also claimed that the JAC was formed by all tribal apex bodies and student unions of the district.
They had drawn the attention of the authorities of both state and Central government by submitting a series of representations demanding immediate completion of the dam components and to clear the long delayed payment of compensation and pending bills of the local contractors before the inauguration of the project.
But, none of the efforts have borne fruit, the ultimatum stated.
In the last talks held on October 18 in the Chief Minister's chamber, a "gentlemen's agreement" was reached to fulfill all the demands put forward by the JAC.
The delay on the part of the government in translating the agreement into work can no longer be tolerated.
This type of neglect, ill treatment and suppression has compelled them to resort to immediate agitation of any kind and will oppose the inaugural function of the project at their best level, the JAC threatened the government.