United stand against dam: Manipur, India

By Assam Times│Jiten Yumnam

A dam that was built without the consent of the local villagers in Manipur posing a serious threat to agricultural land.

Experts believe that the days are not far when the Mapithel Dam would eclipse the Chadong Village in Ukhrul district. Speakers at a public meeting in the district on Saturday, 14th March,2014 pledged to go all out against the dam that has already submerged a huge area of agricultural land.

Organized by several local organizations on the occasion of the International River Day, the people stood united in protest against Mapithel dam. The organizers told Assam Times that Mapithel dam was constructed forcibly without taking the free prior and informed consent of affected communities. The government adopted forceful construction of Mapithel dam with militarization of their land and resources and further adopted divide and rule tactics among the affected communities, they rued.

In his address, Thanmi Kashung, advisor to the movement, expressed concern that the government started blocking the Thoubal River to complete the Mapithel dam construction by March 2015. According to him, the blocking of Yangwui Kong (Thoubal River) already led to submergence of prime agriculture land and forest areas in Louphoung and Chadong village. He expressed concern that the Mapithel dam will submerge Chadong village in Monsoon season.

Another speaker Aram Pamei shared how the government is insensitive to the land rights and intrinsic livelihood and survival dependence of the indigenous communities on the Thoubal River and their land. Sumshot Khullar of Naga women Union appealed to the communities affected by large scale development projects to remain united and resist all development injustice introduced in Manipur.

Jiten Yumnam deplored that the Mapithel Dam construction already set a nightmarish example for indigenous communities of Manipur. Phulindro Konsam, Chairperson of Committee on Human Rights shared how the human rights of indigenous peoples affected by Mapithel dam should be recognized and given the range of violations, the Mapithel dam construction should be stopped. The participants of the observation resolved to urge upon the government to stop the Mapithel dam construction, to stop blocking the Thoubal River and to let the Thoubal River flow free, and further to resume the Expert Review Committee.

– Orignially posted at Assam Times, the community newspaper