Imphal, April 12: Demanding review of the Mapithel dam before proceeding with the construction work, a large number of people residing in the upstream and downstream of the dam site who are likely to be affected by the dam took out a mass rally at Mapithel dam area today.

After the meeting, a public meeting attended by representatives of the Citizens Concerns for Dams and Development (CCDD), All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers' Association and COHR was also held.

The Mapithel dam also known as Maphou dam was approved by the Planning Commission in 1980 with the aim to provide irrigation and drinking water.

The dam, 66 metres in height and 1078 in length, located at the tri-junction of Ukhrul, Senapati and Imphal East districts was taken up by the IFCD.

To initiate construction of the dam, the State Government issued an order in 1994 asking the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records to take up survey work.

However, the survey work is not completed till date.

There was no consultation with the villagers likely to be affected by the dam.

Once the dam construction is completed (the dam is targeted for completion by 2008), it is expected that the dam would be submerge 11 villages including agricultural fields and natural habitats.

Villages like Phayang Louphong, Chandong, Lamlai Monbung, Lamlai Khullen, Khullen Khunou etc would be submerged together with the agricultural lands by the dam.

Further, the villages of Nongdam, Thangjing-pokpi, Maphou, Tumukhong, Moirangpurel, Itham, Leikhong, Nong-kaipokpi and Keithelmangbi would be affected by downstream of the dam.

The people of the surrounding villages are vehemently opposing construction of the dam because of many irregularities like non-completion of providing compensation, failure to undertake proper survey work, failure to take people's consent before the dam was constructed, lack of resettlement and rehabilitation arrangement for affected villagers etc.

The villagers are demanding that the Mapithel dam should not be constructed before redressing their grievances.

The rallyists besides marching into the restricted area, shouted at the gates of the two companies engaged in the dam construction work that the construction work should be halted immediately.

After the dam construction work began, the Phayang village in Maphou area has disappeared, lamented one villager with great disappointment.

Speaking at the meeting, chief of Nongdam village Renthing condemned the survey work undertaken without the knowledge of the concerned villagers.

He voiced strong opposition against constructing the dam before making arrangements for resettlement of the affected villagers.

Dayananda of AMUCO observed that the State Government has been taking many projects against the wish of the people.

In the name of providing security to such projects, a large number of security personnel are being deployed at such project sites who in turn indulge themselves in many acts violating the rights of the innocent civilians.

Contrary to the assurance of the State Government that the economic condition of the villagers would be elevated considerable once the dam is constructed, only three/four individuals have been granted employment as Muster Roll workers.

As such, the dam bring about only turmoil and disgrace for the villagers, said Luphong, a native of the now disappeared Phayang village.

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