Imphal, December 31: Protesting against the Tipaimukh Dam and demanding immediate repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958, sit-in-protest were staged at different places of Bishnupur district.

The sit-in-protest organised by UPF Bishnupur District Council and Bishnupur Apunba Nupi Lup at Bishnupur Bazar was participated by about 50 Meira Paibi activists.

Similar protest sittings were held at Ningthoukhong Bazar, Phubala, Sunu Siphai, Naransena, Moirang Bazar, Moirang Thoya, Kumbi, Khuga Wangma Lamlong and Ithai Barrage.

On the other hand, taking strong exception to the laying of foundation stone for Tipaimukh Project even as the mandatory Environmental Clearance is yet to granted, the Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) noted that the treatment of the issue by the Union Government and the State Government is tantamount to directly negating the democratic voices of the concerned civil societies as well as the people of the State.

The statement of the Chief Minister not to construct the Tipaimukh Dam for which the foundation stone had already been laid, is just a political ploy ahead of the elections to make a fool of the public, asserted HERICOUN in a press release.

Quoting the failure of the Loktak Hydroelectric Project to produce the estimated power, it reminded of the large areas of fertile agricultural land submerged under water due to Loktak Project thereby forfeiting the livelihood of thousands of people.

Moreover, many indigenous fish species have also disappeared besides threatening the existence of Keibul Lamjao National Park and the rare Sangai (brow antlered deer) which is also the State animal of Manipur, all because of the disastrous Loktak Project.

With such a bitter precedent, the people of the State are well aware of the lurking disastrous effects of the Tipaimukh Project.

Asserting that the wish of the people is not construction of the Tipaimukh Dam but scrapping of the Project, HERICOUN urged the SPF Government to suspend all initiatives and construction activities of the controversial Tipaimukh Project.

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