Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 22 2009:
Alleging that the Government of Manipur is trying to deprive the right of the villagers to have accessed to water for drinking and agricultural purposes, Kangmong Gram Panchayat and Public Co-ordination Committee has decided to lodge a complaint with the Manipur Human Rights Commission for justice.
Addressing a press conference in this connection at Manipur Press Club here today, executive member of the Committee Samom Manglemjao said that the move being made by the PHE Department of the Government to construct Kangmong Water Supply Scheme at a place known as Kangmong Tera Urak is going to deprive the right of over 10,000 people living in Kangmong and its surrounding villages to have accessed to water for household use and agricultural purposes.
The water supply scheme is to be constructed along the stream of Sajirok which is the main source of water for the people of Kangmong, Awang Jiri, Heikrujam, Sajirok and Moidangpok Khunou.
As the stream is not perennial due to deforestation in the catchment area, the villagers have been encountering the problem of shortage of water.
Inspite of that the Government went ahead with laying the foundation stone for construction of Konthoujam Water Supply at an estimated cost of Rs 14 crores on June 8 this year.
In protest against the move, the villagers submitted memorandum to the local MLA, PHE Minister and IFC Minister on July 17 and stopped the ongoing construction work of the water supply scheme since September 15 .
But now, it has come to the knowledge of the Committee that the Government is to go ahead with the construction work forcefully.
If the Government went ahead with the construction work, the Committee would file a complaint with the Manipur Human Rights Commission apart from launching various intense agitations, Manglemjao announced.
He also demanded that even if the water supply scheme is to be constructed, it should be named as Kangmong Tera Urak Water Supply Scheme and not Kangmong Water Supply Scheme.