Imphal, Jul 28: Normal life at the State capital was affected today due to the 24 hrs general strike called by Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Project (ACTIP) against the State Government's move to construct the controversial Tipaimukh multi purpose dam.

ACTIP, an umbrella body of different civil society organizations whose primary objective is to scrap the proposed 1500 MW Hydro Electric project to be taken up by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), said the dam pose a danger to the people Manipur.

Other than emergency and ceremonial services, no vehicles plied for the day and traders downed shutters at major business establishments.

The 24-hour bandh that began from 6 pm yesterday also affected normal activities at Thoubal and Bishenpur districts.

Educational institutions were also closed. The bandh , however, did not disrupt daily flight services.

Except for smashing glasswares and pouring lubricants on the streets by bandh supporters there are no reports of untoward incident for the day.

ACTIP's co-convenor O Bikrmajit Singh said at a media conferece that the committee would put forward three issues in the open discussion scheduled to be held on August 21 including revocation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the State Government and NEEPCO for the construction of the project until a final decision is adopted on the issue with public consensus.

Other issues, include disclosure of the Environmental Impact Assessment Management Plan and Social Impact Assessment Management Plan and other relevant project reports and letting the people express their views and opinions on the issue and to ensure that no precondition is attached to the discussion.

ACTIP leaders and dam experts said Tipaimukh project would affect over 7,251 square kms of forestland and 150 villages apart from rendering over 40,000 people homeless.

Once the over 162 meter high dam is constructed, the orange producing belt of Barak valley in Tamenglong district would also be submerged under water.

On April 3 this year a mammoth rally was staged at Imphal against the proposed project and on May 23 a public convention on the matter was held at Tamenglong.

Horticulture Development Society, Tamenglong contended that the dam was conceived to contain floodwater in Assam's Cachar valley at the cost of the indigenous people of both Manipur and Mizoram.

Comment