Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 23:
Announcing that it would be extending full support to the State-wide general strike being called by Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Project (ACATP) with effect from 6 pm of July 26 to 6 pm of the following day, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has warned the people against venturing out on the streets in defiance of the general strike.
Justifying the ongoing protest against construction of Tipaimukh Dam, AMSU asserted that the construction of the proposed Dam would not only submerge 293 sq km of land permanently, but another 7251.36 sq km of land would be rendered useless.
The dam would also affect 105 villages and 61 km of the National Highway 53 would also be inundated.
Questioning the logic behind the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Manipur and NEEPCO to start construction of the controversial dam despite an earlier decision taken by the Cabinet on August 16, 1995 not to go ahead with the project in the light of the detrimental effect of the dam, the student body wondered on what basis the Government has come to the conclusion that the dam would be beneficial for the people now.
The refusal of the Govt to revoke the MoU despite the protest of the people against construction of the dam shows that the Govt is not concerned about the welfare of its people and the land, the student body said, adding that all its committees, branches and units are ready to enforce the general strike successfully.