Chandel rally against Chakpi project
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Gyanand Naorem / NNN
Chandel, October 11 2012:
Along with taking out a mass protest rally, a public meeting held at the Mini Indoor Stadium of Chandel district headquarters today has unanimously opposed to construction of the proposed Chakpi Multi Purpose Project at Chakpi River in Chandel district.
The protest rally cum public meeting was oganised jointly by Anal Naga Taangpi (ANTA), Anal Students' Union, Anallon Chiefs' Association (ALCA) and Anal Women Union (ASR) in collaboration with the area level organizations.
Participated by around 3000 people, the massive protest rally was taken out from the Mini Indoor Stadium upto the Deputy Commissioner's Office where the protesters submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of the state through the Deputy Commissioner, Chandel.
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From there, the protestors returned to the Mini Stadium where the public meeting was held and a public declaration adopted.
Addressing at the meeting, President of ANTA WNG Kohring Victor, observed that the proposed Chakpi Multi Purpose Project project would undoubtedly affect the minority tribe and other small tribe community residing in and around the project site and it would lead to disturbance not only in socio-economic life of the people but would also result in undesirable changes on demography, religion, militarisation and moral integrity.
He contended that Ckakpi River is the lifeline and bread and butter for the people of Chandel district and its surrounding other tribes.
Moreover, there is apprehension over break-down of the dam as the site is located within a seismological zone.
Under these circumstances, how can the villages welcome the project?, he asked.
Justifying the stand of the public against the multi-project, Kohring Victor went on to question, "Why the State Government is submitting its proposal again and again to the Central government for approval in the name of developmental project but at the cost of our land and resources.
If the government is concern for us then there are many things to be done in the district like repairing the bad road condition from Pallel to Chandel, Chandel to Chakpikarong via Sugnu, lack of infrastructures at PHC, Chakpikarong and revocation of Vomku Block; construction of good schools, bridges at specify location, etc " .
Many other public leaders also addressed the meeting during which a public declaration was adopted.
The public declaration categorically stating that the project is anti-people in nature and is proposed at a high cost not in the interest of the indigenous people of Chandel where initial investigation, survey and proposal were done without the knowledge and consent of the people.