Imphal, April 26: Serious concerns were raised during a public meeting on the possible ill-effects of Mapithel dam organised by Ramrei Katamnao Long (Students' Union, Lamlai Khunou and Khullen) on April 23.Many representatives of various prominent civil organisations of the State including Nodia Khuman of All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), Phulindro Konsam of Committee on Human Rights (COHR), Jiten Yumnam of Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD) and Ramthing Kasar of Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organisation (MDAVA) and Thanmi Kasung of Chadong Peoples Organisation took part in the meeting, said a joint press release issued by Ramrei Aze and Ramrei Ato.

Many speakers gave a detail account of the impending threats posed by the Mapithel dam under Thoubal Multipurpose Project to the survival of indigenous peoples along Thoubal river.

The meeting condemned in the strongest term of the violations of social, environmental and statutory norms applicable to such a project by the dam proponents and the continued reliance on the security forces to go on with the construction work against the very vocal and vehement opposition raised against it, mentioned the release.

Suspension of the dam construction until and unless an expert review committee for rehabilitation and resettlement schemes for the affected people is constituted was one of the many resolutions adopted during the meeting, it informed.

The meeting further resolved to launch sustained mass movement if the authorities concerned particularly Irrigation and Flood Control Department fail to heed the demands of the affected people, added the release.

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