Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 23:
In addition to doubting integrity and sincerity of the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, the Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Project (Actip) has reiterated its demand for scrapping the Tipaimukh Hydro-electric Multipurpose Project.
Questioning the Chief Minister's hastiness in laying foundation stone for the proposed project without 'any mandatory clearance from the Ministry concerned', a statement issued by convenor and coconvenors of the Committee claimed that even the Prime Minister had distanced himself from getting involved in the project quagmire.
instead of addressing public concern repeatedly raised by the people who would suffer due to the project, he (CM) discarded his democratically elected responsibilities and obligations by becoming puppet to Union Minister (heavy Industries) Santosh Mohan Dev and so-called High Command, Actip criticised in a statement issued today that also pondered whether the Chief Minister had accepted bribe from NEEPCO authorities.
The NEEPCO, whose roles, manner and style of bribing, manipulating and stage-managing are well known, will not be allowed to succeed in Manipur, alleged the Committee and regretted that the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had been lured by the Power Corporation at the expense of the people.
Elaborating on the accusation, the ACTIP representatives alleged that the recently held public hearings on the dam issue were stage-managed thereby demonstrating NEEPCO's manipulative intention with the failure to survey the project site and areas to be affected by the dam further authenticating the anti-people objectives of NEEPCO authorities.
The Committee also charged State Government officials of colluding with NEEPCO in the false presentation of data pertaining to forest, geological and seismological aspect besides concealing facts on future impact of the dam to procure clearance from the Ministry concerned as was indicated in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
On the other hand, ACTIP demanded that officials of Manipur Pollution Control Board and Ministry of Forests and Environment be booked and punished for their indulgence in concealing the factual data in order to not only obtain necessary clearance but to mislead the people.
The Committee also asserted that State unit of the Bharatiya Janata party clarify its exact position on the Tipaimukh project issue rather than relying on opportunistic polity.
While serving an ultimatum to all aspiring candidates for the forthcoming State Assembly election to state their stance on the dam issue, ACTIP cautioned that non-cooperation movement would be launched against the State Government in case its demand for scrapping the project is not honoured.