Imphal, November 20: Appealing to reconsider and review the proposed Tipaimukh project, ACTIP has urged the Prime Minister to withdraw his decision to lay the foundation stone of the controversial project during his upcoming visit to the State.

In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, ACTIP conveying strong disapproval over the way the Public Hearing was conducted at Churachandpur where a large majority of concerned citizens and groups were denied entry into the venue and participation, appealed to the Prime Minister to ensure that the notified Public Hearing scheduled at Tamenglong district Hqs is conducted in a public venue in a free and fair manner without any restriction or coercion.

It also appealed to the Prime Minister to take due cognisance and appropriate action to stop and prevent further denial of the peoples' rights to participate in decision making concerning development initiatives that may threaten the right to life and livelihood of the people.

Referring to the Churachandpur Public Hearing on November 17, ACTIP said that the use of violence and other forms of intimidation to exclude and suppress peoples' voices on certain projects or State initiatives were acts of negating the legitimate and democratic processes of informed and free participation in decision making by citizens concerned.

Such instances were against all established national and international norms, the memorandum asserted.

It further informed the Prime Minister that chairpersons of 16 Village Authorities of Churachandpur district likely to be affected by the project were arbitrarily denied entry and participate in the Churachandpur Public Hearing, even though the chairpersons were coming from remote areas of the district specifically to attend the Hearing.

Earlier in 2002 when public objections were invited by the Government of Manipur, 22 Village authorities of Tamenglong district had officially submitted written objections to Tipaimukh project.

Moreover, an overwhelming majority of civil organisations of the State including AMUCO, CATD, NWUM, ZU, CORE, HSA, CNPO, MDAVO, DAC, CCDD, ANSAM, UNC, NPMHR and Environment Protection Committee have also been raising voices of concern and objections against Tipaimukh Project, mentioned the memorandum.

Reminding that the Public Hearing of 2004 held in Mizoram met with equivocal rejection of the project, it cautioned that any activity furthering the implementation of the project including the planned laying of foundation stone, would only incite and exacerbate strong and negative perceptions which would result in far reaching consequences.

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