Imphal, October 24 2008: Demanding official recognition as affected by the Mapithel Dam, Meira Paibis and villagers of 12 villages located at the downstream of Mapithel Dam staged a protest demonstration under the aegis of the Mapithel Dam Affected Ching-Tam Organisation today.

The protesters numbering hundreds used placards which read as "Create economic package for downstream villages", "Declare these villages affected area", "Equal treatment for upstream and downstream", "Renew Expert Review Committee" etc.

They also questioned whether the Government protects or forfeits people's properties.

Meira Paibi leaders of different villages like Nongdam, Itham, Moirangpurel, Resophung, Thangjingpokpi expressed deep resentment against the policy of the Government.

Just as the villages located to the upstream of Mapithel have been declared affected area, the 12 villages located to the downstream should also be officially listed as affected area, they demanded.

Since construction of the dam began and water current blocked, deposition of sand and pebbles in the downstream have been stopped thereby forfeiting the livelihood of many families who used to live by quarrying in the river bed earlier, they conveyed.

In the event of sudden breakdown of the dam, it would prove a major catastrophe to the downstream villages.

The villages will be swept away and all the people displaced.

It would also mean loss of several hundred paris of paddy fields besides causing massive loss of cattle and other properties, the Meira Paibi leaders forewarned.

It is an act of injustice and indifference on the part of the Government to exclude the 12 villages from the list of affected areas, they decried.

Demanding declaration of the 12 villages as Mapithel Dam affected area and to provide a 'special package', the protesters cauti'oned that they will launch intense forms of agitation if the Government refuses to fulfil their demands.

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