Chakka Jam called to oppose dam constructions

Imphal, Sep 16 (UNI) The Committee on Land and Natural Resources (COLNAR) today called a 12-hour state-wide Chakka Jam on September 18 to demand scrapping of the Tipaimukh Hydroelectric (multipurpose) Project and review of the Mapithel Dam (Thoubal Multipurpose) Project in Manipur.

''The bandh has been called primarily to oppose the forcible attempt of the state government to start the Tipaimukh Dam Project and Mapithel Dam despite peoples' objections,'' Aram Pamei, Convenor, COLNAR, said.

''We are against the Tipaimukh Dam Project as it is designed to displace the indigenous people from their ancestral territory and also pose potential environmental hazards,'' she said.

The MoU between the Manipur government and NEEPCO for the project was signed on January 9, 2003, even as the affected people called for a thorough impact assessment of the project.

The Union Power Minister had laid the foundation stone for the Tipaimukh Dam on December 2006.

''Likewise, the construction of Mapithel dam was started without conducting a detailed environmental, social, cultural, economic impact assessment and most importantly, without taking free, prior and informed consent of the affected communities,'' she added.

UNI NS DPM LPB AS1534