Imphal, November 06: Setting November 10 as the deadline to withdraw the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of Manipur and North Eastern Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO) for construction of Tipaimukh dam, 29 social organisations have decided to call a 24-hour State-wide general strike with effect from 6 am of November 11 if the demand is not met.

The decision was taken during a district level discussion session on Tipaimukh Dam held at Senapati Village Women Society cum Community Hall located at Senapati district headquarters today.

The discussion session hosted by Naga Peoples' Organisation (NPO) and facilitated by Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) was chaired by NPMHR co-ordinator Dailord Pao.

After a thorough deliberation on the issue, the house unanimously resolved to serve an ultimatum to all the concerned setting November 10 as the deadline for cancelling the MoU signed between the Government of Manipur and NEEPCO.

In the event of not getting any positive response, the house further decided to call a 24-hour State wide general strike with effect from 6 am of November 11 to 6 am of November 12.After the end of the session, the resolutions were announced by chairperson Dailord Pao to the people.

Raising their voice against the move being made to go ahead with construction of the controversial dam, the representatives of all the 29 social organisations who participated in the discussion session also pledged to intensify the ongoing campaign against construction of the dam.

Among the speakers, UNC president Paul Leo said despite the public outcry, the State Government may go ahead with construction of Tipaimukh Dam.

But we have to think not just about the plight of the villagers who would be affected by the dam directly, but for the loss to be suffered by every section of the society in the long run.

Apart from NPO and NPMHR, the other social organisations which took part in the said discussion session are United Naga Council (UNC); All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM); Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM); Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam (CATD); Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Project (ACTIP); Chandel Naga Peoples Organisation (CNPO); CSD; CCDD; Naga Students Union, Chandel (NSUC); Tangkhul Baptist Church, Senapati (TBCS); Maram Naga Baptist Association (MRNBA); Zeliangrong Union (ZU), Senapati Zone; Paomai Masou Mee (PMM); Senapati Karong Area Women Welfare Association (SKAWWA); Mao Naga Women Welfare Association (MNWWA); Senapati District Women Association (SDWA); Naga Christian Forum (NC Forum); Paomai Tsedou Meime (PTM); Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA); Anal Naga Taangpi (ANTA); NE Dialogue Forum; Paomei Natou Meime (PNM); Mao Council; Mapithel Dam Affected Village Organisation (MDAVO) and Senapati Karong Area Baptist Union (SKABU).

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