Imphal, Jul 24: Even as more and more social organisations have come out to support the bandh being called against the move to construct Tipaimukh Dam, Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam Project (ACTIP), which is spearheading the agitation, has outrightly rejected the statements made by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at Ukhrul and Kangabam Leikai Yumjao Lairembi with regard to to controversial dam.

In a statement issued by its convenor Nanda Kamei, ACTIP asserted that the remarks of the Chief Minister have no basis to substantiate apart from being politically motivated and deliberate attempt to mislead the people of Manipur.

However, the Chief Minister's admittance on the need for an open forum, if constituted and prior consent of the people taken, can be considered as positive signal from the part of the Government of Manipur, the statement said.

If Chief Minister has the courage to speak on Tipaimukh Dam project issue, then he should clarify and show to the people with substantiated documents and not just surrendering the rights of the people through signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NEEPCO, the statement said.

The statement further pointed out that the Tipaimukh Dam is more than 50 years old issue and the project proponent has miserably failed to provide the detailed project report till date.

Even the Government of Manipur had earlier rejected the project citing that rehabilitation and resettlement programme is extremely inadequate, seismological concerned is not properly address and environmental health hazard, the statement noted.

Meanwhile, a number of social organisations have announced their decision to back the ACTIP sponsored general strike which would come into effect from 6 pm of July 27 to 6 pm of July 28.The organisations which have extended unstinted support to the cause include Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagatpa Lup; Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup; Thangmeiband Apunba Nupi Lup (THANIL), Moirangkhunou Gram Sabha Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup, Thanga Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup (TIMPAL), Momnu Eerikkhombi Lup (MEEKHOL), etc.

Comment