Imphal, September 16: Decrying the Government's sustained endeavour to go ahead with the Tipaimukh Hydroelectric (multi-purpose) Project and Mapithel Dam (Thoubal multi-purpose Project) the committee on Land and Natural Resources, Senapati district headquarters has decided to call a State-wide 12-hour Chakka bandh from 6 am of September 18 .

The agitation call has also received support from the United Naga Council, Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM), All Naga Students' Association and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (South) as well as Action Committee against Tipaimukh Project.

According to a release of the main bandh sponsor Committee on Land and Natural Resources 'the bandh has been called primarily in view of the forcible attempt of the Government to construct Tipaimukh Dam Project and Mapithel Dam despite people's objection and call for revision'.

With reference to the Government's move to obtain environmental clearance on the Tipaimukh Dam at the September 18 meeting in New Delhi, the Committee highlighted that Tipaimukh Project had already been rejected by the people of Manipur, Mizoram and Bangladesh from the conceptual stage itself as the project is destined to submerge, destroy, annihilate the indigenous peoples from their ancestral territories and potential environmental disasters.

The Committee also alleged that the Government had been repeatedly undermining sentiment and genuine concern of the affected people and had been attempting to go ahead with the projects through enhanced deployment of security forces.

Moreover the Government has been accused of violating agreements and assurances to the affected people that every aspect would be looked into before the actual construction works commence.

The Committee also appealed to the masses to extent cooperation to the 12 hours agitation call.

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