Politics over Tipaimukh dam hots up

Imphal, Nov 18 (UNI) The Manipur government and Action Committee Against Tipaimukh dam (ACTIP) are at loggerheads with each other over the issue of construction of Tipaimukh Dam at Manipur.

The Action Committee against Tipaimukh dam (ACTIP) had called a ten-day economic blockade from November 16 midnight till November 25 midnight on the two national highways in Manipur. The transportation of goods on the two national highways have been affected due to the strike, transport agencies said.

Officials of a tour operator said passenger bus services were not affected.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has already announced that the Manipur government will go ahead with the construction of the dam despite all protests.

Officials said the Tipaimukh dam in Manipur will be constructed by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) and it may even reach a staggering Rs 7000 crore when completed.

The ACTIP said the blockade was called to Save Barak river and 13,161 Sq. Km of land which will be submerged by the dam.

Meanwhile, a public hearing on the dam was carried out at Churachandpur district yesterday presided by the Deputy Commissioner of the district, Sumant Singh.

Officials said village chiefs, affected by the dam, attended the hearing and supported the dam construction and all misunderstanding over the dam was ironed out.

The NEEPCO representatives have assured 50 per cent jobs in C category and 60 per cent in D category jobs. Large number of protestors who opposed the dam construction and a media team from Imphal was not allowed to hear the proceedings of the hearing.

The ACTIP has warned to intensify the stir and take up legal actions against the government for going ahead with the controversial dam.

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