Imphal, February 22: Taking strong exception to the accelerated activities by NEEPCO towards construction of Tipaimukh Hydro-Electric (Multipurpose) Project, the UPF and HERICOUN maintained that the proposed dam is very much against the interest of the general public.

A joint statement issued by UPF and HERICOUN observed that construction of such mega dam would cause irreversible damage to the environment and livelihood of the people.

It further reminded of the submergence of thousand of hectares of agricultural land and subsequent huge reduction in the crop yield because of the Ithai dam with its false promise of electrification of Manipur.

Moreover, rare flora and fauna, wild animals, fish species and medicinal plants have been put on the threshold of extinction, as some have been already wiped out from the surface of Earth.

Alleging that the Tipaimukh dam would submerge many villages of Tamenglong district along with jeopardising many wild lives and flora and fauna of the region, the statement expressed strong apprehension that the Tipaimukh High Dam would reduce Manipur to the status of a State wholly dependent on the Centre and there is no prospect for any kind of development.

While pledging their support to any movement against the dam by Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Nagaland and Manipur), UPF and HERICOUN demanded immediate suspension of all dam construction activities.

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