Imphal, December 29: Various resolutions pertaining to public opposition to construction of Tipaimukh Dam and prolonged imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur were adopted during an open discussion session on Tipaimukh Dam and AFSPA held at the ground of Motbung High School today.

The resolutions taken during the discussion session facilitated jointly by United People's Front (UPF), Manipur and UPF Lamlai Local Council include intensifying the ongoing public agitation against the move being made to construct Tipaimukh dam, to exert pressure on the State Government to cancel the MoU signed with NEEPCO in this regard, to extend full support to ACTIP in its efforts to stop construction of the dam and to ensure that imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 is removed from Manipur and save the life of Sharmila who has been fasting for the last six years in protest over the same demand.

The discussion session proceeded with co-ordinators of the Apunba Lup advocate Y Devadutta and L Babloo, ACTIP convenor Nanda Kamei, president of Chanambra Itham Nungoi Meira Paibi Champra, etc as presidium members.

Giving the introductory speech of the discussion session, ACTIP co-convenor O Bikramjit explained that the public stand for opposing to the construction of the controversial Tipaimukh dam is due to the fact that the proponents of the dam have not spelled out the details of the rehabilitation policy for the would be affected people.

As the site where the dam is to come up falls within a highly seismic zone, there is the fear that the construction of a high dam might cause widespread destruction in a case of occurrence of earthquake in future, he said, adding that apart from this a vast tract of land and its natural resources would be lost forever after the construction of the dam.

If Manipur Government feels that the benefit to be accrued from the construction of the dam outweighs its demerits, than it should explain the purported merits of the dam and take the people into confidence by facilitating an open dialogue, Bikramjit demanded.

Advocate Devadutta contended that imposition of black laws like AFSPA in Manipur has curtailed the rights of the people guaranteed by the Constitution.

There is no law court in India which can do justice to the people whose rights have been violated under the immunity granted by AFSPA, he added.

'It is not the time to remain silent by thinking that we have not been directly affected by the imposition of AFSPA, but to come out raising our voice and join the ongoing struggle for removal of the draconian Act from Manipur,' Devdutta exhorted.

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